Watch above: Warm weather means potholes are revealed on Saskatoon roads. Wendy Winiewski has more on the prolific problem and how residents can help reduce the numbers.
SASKATOON – In the first week of March, 18 residents called the City of Saskatoon to report problem potholes and utility cuts. The following week, the number of phone calls increased to 217.
Temporary cold mix asphalt will be used until overnight lows stay above zero degrees. Permanent hot mix asphalt only adheres in consistent positive temperatures.
In the city last year, approximately 188,000 potholes were patched with 3,300 tonnes of asphalt. So far this winter, 45 tonnes of cold mix has been used.
A proactive solution would be clearing snow from streets throughout winter but the city’s $53-million building better roads program doesn’t allow for that.
Public Works Director Pat Hyde blames current road conditions and, in part, a rare January thaw.
“We had two weeks roughly of above zero temperatures so there was a lot of melt run off at that time so that water can permeate and get into the asphalt”.
There it freezes and expands, pushing the roadway up. After a week of positive temperatures the ice below the surface has melted, leaving hollow spots below the roadway which collapse under the weight of vehicles.
Watch below: See what it takes to make a pothole happen in a road
High traffic areas are worst as continual traffic breaks the edges making the pothole bigger.
According to Hyde, crews are patching some holes several times a day with the temporary asphalt. Residents can help by trying to minimize the amount of water on their streets.
“If it’s safe to do so, we ask that you help clear the catch basin so water can drain through it easier.”
The city’s online “report a pothole” map is being enhanced and is expected to relaunch on time for the spring pothole blitz program, which is scheduled to begin in April, but is dependent on the weather. Currently, problems can be reported to the customer service centre at 306-975-2476.
READ MORE: Preparing, protecting homes from spring thaw
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