Toledo committee backs pilot to repair tree‑damaged sidewalks, preserve mature street trees

The Mobility, Sustainability and Beautification Committee on June 11 voted to forward a recommendation to full council to approve a pilot program to repair sidewalks damaged by street‑tree roots while attempting to preserve mature trees.

Megan Robeson, director of public service, told the committee the pilot would cover 30 locations around Toledo and run through the summer and fall so staff can use the results to shape the 2026 sidewalk program. "We have selected 30 locations throughout the city that have tree related sidewalk damage," Robeson said. "Together, engineers and arborists will collaborate to select the best method for fixing the sidewalk while preserving our mature street trees."

The pilot tests four repair approaches: a temporary asphalt "patch" for minimal uplift, concrete “shaving” or planing for moderate uplift, rerouting a walking path to avoid root zones, and a porous flexible pavement marketed as FlexiPave (also called AddiPave). Sarah Stacy, commissioner of urban beautification, said FlexiPave is permeable and can be poured close to trunks in narrow pedestrian areas; she cautioned it…