The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet is seeking grant applications from county or metro-government entities for local road projects that utilize rubber-modified asphalt, which uses rubber from finely ground waste tires.

Applications must be received by May 1, 2022.

“The division is excited to offer these grants to Kentucky counties,” said Tammi Hudson, director of the Division of Waste Management. “Rubber-modified asphalt can be a cost-effective, performance-enhancing additive for county paving projects, and improve end-use markets for recycled tires, which can lead to better waste tire management across the commonwealth.”

Counties or metro governments can apply for funding for either chip seal or thin asphalt overlay projects. Chip seal is a pavement surface treatment that combines one or more layers of liquid asphalt with one or more layers of fine aggregate. Asphalt overlay consists of a new layer of asphalt applied over an existing road surface. Rubber-modified asphalt can reduce road noise and long-term maintenance costs and increase the life of the roadway.

The money for these projects comes from the Kentucky Waste Tire Trust Fund, which receives $2 from every new tire sold in the commonwealth. In addition to promoting the development of markets for recycled waste tires, the fund also pays for waste tire collection events, tire dumpsite clean-ups and grants for counties to manage waste tires.

For more information about condition of the grant funding, please proceed to the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet website.