Foxhall Village residents now have long stretches of new concrete sidewalk that include smooth passes by big trees where the pavement had been in a state of upheaval over roots.

The installation of the roughly 2,915 new square yards of walkway and crosswalk ramps in late summer 2017 cost about $144,000, according to the D.C. Department of Transportation.

FLAT: A newly paved section of concrete sidewalk passes by trees on a section of P Street in Foxhall Village. Photo Credit: John A. Bray

Several sections of erupted sidewalk around trees had been torn out in 2016 and left packed with gravel for nearly a year, with DDOT workers expecting installation of a new type of flexible, porous pavement designed to better accommodate root growth. But conventional concrete pavement was used instead.

Asked about the action, the agency said: “DDOT’s approach to determining sidewalk repairs remains consistent. The team determines appropriate sidewalk repairs on a case-by-case basis. The decisions for Foxhall Village were based on pedestrian safety and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, longevity, and tree preservation.”

The flexible, porous pavement (a material also designed to diminish storm water runoff and aid aquifer recharge) that was anticipated for use in the neighborhood was used in sections of Arlington National Cemetery and Yellowstone National Park. (See, Where The Rubber Meets The Roots)