Automobile tires that MoDOT crews spend time picking up off highways are now playing a role in making the mowing of U.S. 54 between Jefferson City and Kingdom City more efficient and environmentally friendly.
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have joined together to use mats made from recycled tires to control weeds that grow around highway sign posts.
The mats, funded by a grant from DNR, are designed to hinder vegetation growth, reducing the amount of herbicides needed to control weeds.
Fewer weeds at the base of sign posts will enable MoDOT crews to reduce the amount of more labor-intensive mowing and trimming they have to perform, while keeping the used tires from going to landfills.