THUNDER BAY – Melting snow, warming temperatures and the return of grass are signs of the beginning of spring.
So is the emergence of potholes on city streets.
Brian Kral, acting city roads manager, said crews have been actively working to repair potholes that have been developing and expanding.
“I believe this year isn’t as bad as previous years but we’re at the beginning of it, rather than at the peak,” he said on Monday. “We’re keeping up with the requests that are coming in and doing regular patrol during day shift.”
The beginning of spring is one of the worst times for potholes because water that got underneath pavement during the fall melts, causing the pavement to rise and become unstable. It gets compounded when melt water gets into cracks and then freezes during colder nights and melts again the next day.
Road crews will likely continue to chase new potholes during the coming weeks as the freeze and thaw cycle is projected to remain ongoing.
“There is a lot more thawing that could take place and there is also water in certain areas where the catch basins haven’t been freed,” he said.
“Right now, we’re not only working on potholes but also working on the drainage systems into the storm sewer system because the more water sits on the road and temperature drops below zero again we could be facing more potholes and that would be the peak time.”
Repairing damage to the city’s main arterial roadways takes first priority, Kral said. Higher volumes of traffic are more likely to cause potholes.
The repairs made now are only temporary fills with a rock and tar mixture. Permanent asphalt repairs are made in the summer.
Residents can report potholes to the city’s road division online, through email or calling a 24-hour dispatch number (625-2195).
Kral said right now, on average, potholes are repaired within 24 to 36 hours of notification.
