The Charm Of Brick Streets

In the debate over asphalt or brick for streets in Illinois, some communities choose longer-lasting brick.

"Oak Park Village President David Pope said initial estimates indicate that the higher price of restoring brick can be more than offset by lower maintenance costs and longer life than asphalt."

Forest Park's $10 million infrastructure improvement plan includes reconstruction of about half of the town's 12 blocks of brick streets. According to Forest Park Administrator Mike Storino: "Our residents are very fond of their brick streets, and we didn't even consider paving them with asphalt. We like them for a number of reasons. They bring traffic speeds down and they add character to the neighborhood."