CLEVELAND, Ohio — You’ve probably heard the saying, “Everything old is new again.”

Today, it takes on a literal meaning within the city of Cleveland.

Crews from various neighborhoods across the city recently used “old materials” to breathe new life into demolished and broken sidewalks.

Is Cleveland’s 50/50 Sidewalk Repair Program Making Progress?

RELATED: Is Cleveland’s 50/50 Sidewalk Repair Program Making Progress?

This is called Porous Flexible Pavement or “PFP”.

PFP includes a combination of rubber granules and aggregate and polyurethane binders.

The city’s ecological approach ensures the safety of citizens, while protecting nature.

Flexible sidewalks are found along East 71st Street, Gertrude Avenue, West 45th Street, Puritas Avenue and Throckley Avenue.

As a busy, on-the-go mom, Carli Faykus is always on the move.

Sometimes she finds herself overcoming obstacles along the way.

“We just went through a puddle there and I was trying to get on the sidewalk to avoid it,” Faykus said.

Taking your little boy for a walk around his Ohio City neighborhood is finally getting a little easier, especially on his daily walks along West 45th Street.

“It’s a lot nicer to drive it on. Smoother. We don’t have to run the wheels on broken pavement. It’s better,” Faykus said.

Cleveland has launched a pilot program to see if PFP helps solve sidewalk problems.

“It’s not a new technology. It’s been around for a few years. But it infuses rubber with polyeutherin, a concrete mix,” said Keshia Chambers, deputy director of the Mayor’s Office of Capitol Projects. the city of Cleveland.

Chambers says flexible siding is especially practical with so many aging trees.

Roots often cause problems on a traditional sidewalk.

They push and break up the concrete, making passage uneven and difficult.

Chambers says that won’t happen with this hardware.

“It has a flexible component, which is beneficial around trees because those roots continue to grow and develop and there is some flexibility in the pavement,” Chambers said.

This eco-friendly, eco-friendly building product is made in the USA using recycled rubber.

It almost feels like you’re walking on tires.

Faykus says there’s a bit of give, making you feel an extra bounce in your step.

Edward Hinkle Jr. is frustrated by damaged and uneven sidewalks when walking his dog.

He adapts to them in a sort of love/hate way.

“They’re ugly. It’s not what everyone is used to. But you know what? They feel good. And they work here,” Hinkle said.

Chambers points out that they also have an element of safety, especially when it comes to Cleveland’s changeable weather and sometimes slippery conditions.

“In addition to being flexible, it’s also pourable. So on a rainy day like this, water doesn’t pool on the sidewalks. Water can actually seep through,” Chambers said .

This means fewer slips and falls for walkers and runners.

Faykus says she appreciates the eco-friendly solution, even if it’s only in a few places.

“If it’s going to save one of our trees, we’re big fans of it,” Faykus said.

Chambers says the city got the idea from Washington, D.C., where it is using the material on sidewalks and trails.

The material is more expensive than concrete, costing $48 per square foot.

This lasts about seven years compared to your traditional concrete.

But Chambers points out that all of that is covered by the pilot program.

She says the city will see how well it works over the years and then make changes in the future.