It’s that time of the year when steering wheels get a real workout as motorists dodge the potholes in city streets.
City crews are already busy making repairs.
"As spring continues its freeze and thaw cycle, potholes will begin to develop on streets across the city at a quicker rate than normal," says a City news release. "This creates driving challenges and can become an irritant and eyesore for motorists."
Not to mention the cost of dented rims and front-end alignments which can cost several hundreds of dollars.
Potholes can also be a safety hazard, causing drivers to lose control of their vehicles or swerve into other lanes of traffic.
Spring is a particularly problematic time for potholes because of the freeze-thaw cycle. As temperatures rise, the thawing ice and snow cause the pavement to expand and contract rapidly, exacerbating existing cracks and potholes. Heavy rainfall can also contribute to pothole formation as water washes away loose gravel and erodes the road surface.
"The winter and spring seasons typically present issues for crews when trying to patch potholes. During these seasons pothole fixes are generally only temporary because you can’t achieve a good bond between the pavement and the patch. As a result, the patches deteriorate quickly when subjected to the freeze/thaw cycles, traffic, and weather," explains the release.
City crews will be working daily to repair potholes using cold mix patching as a temporary fix while snow and ice are thawing and temperatures remain cool. Once temperature rise and conditions improve, crews will begin using the City’s portable asphalt plant to make longer-term hot mix repairs. Permanent repairs will take place throughout the summer.
To report a pothole, call Public Works at 705-474-4340. Provide a detailed description of the pothole’s location. Size matters as those that are large, deep or threatening to traffic are addressed first.
In the meantime, you can take precautions to avoid potholes. Staying alert and driving at slower speeds can help avoid hitting potholes. Maintaining proper tire pressure and regularly inspecting tires for damage can also reduce the risk of damage from potholes.
