RPA Briefs Missouri and Kansas on Engineering and Recycling Benefits of Asphalt-Rubber Pavements

A delegation of RPA leaders briefed a number of key officials from the Missouri State Government on the benefits of a cooperative program between the states public works and the tire disposal agencies at a meeting hosted by the MoDOT in Jefferson City. It was attended by representatives of the state's Departments of Transportation, Economic Development, Natural Resources, the Missouri Municipal League, and the Thomas Hill Enterprise Center. Also attending was the Mayor of Macon, MO, the site of RPA member company, Recycled Rubber Resources. The RPA delegation visited the state-of-the-art tire processing plant prior to the meeting. Bob Swank of the Northeast Department of Economic Development told the group of the economic benefits of the tire recycling plant which he said employed more people on a per capita comparison than the giant Anheuser Busch company in Saint Louis.

On July 1, the RPA delegation met with several leaders of the Kansas DOT in Topeka. RPA President Jeffrey Smith told both states that Asphalt-Rubber was developed and used for its excellent engineering properties long before the nation became concerned with the scrap tire problem. He said that in addition to providing some excellent pavement rehabilitation strategies, the recycling benefits are now an added plus for taxpayers.