Photo: _chrisUK (flickr)
Potholes form when water seeps into cracks, freezes and expands the layers of pavement and soil. As the ice melts, highway traffic loosens the pavement creating the holes.
Temperatures are rising this week and that has INDOT sending out warning about potholes.
INDOT Spokesman Nathan Riggs says crews are now on pothole patrol. He adds that drivers shouldn‘t hesitate to report potholes they see on state roads and bridges.
Potholes form when water seeps into cracks, freezes and expands the layers of pavement and soil. As the ice melts, highway traffic loosens the pavement creating the holes.
Riggs says during winter, roadways are too cold for paving. As a result, crews create temporary patches with small stones and liquid asphalt.
“When they‘re not busy removing snow and ice from the roadway, they‘re busy either repairing or treating paving and doing preventative things to try to keep those potholes from forming in the first place,” Riggs.
IN-DOT sealed 1,685 lane miles of state highways during the first half of 2012. They plan to patch 1,820 lane miles this fiscal year.
Potholes can be reported at www.indot.in.gov or by calling the toll free number 855-463-6848.
