What is a pothole?
A pothole is damage to asphalt street surfaces caused by fluctuating temperature. In a thaw, water seeps through pavement into its sub base. When the water freezes and becomes ice, it expands and the pavement above it (and the ground below it) flexes.
As traffic drives over it, as the water continues its thaw freeze cycle, and the pavement continues to flex, the breaking capacity of the pavement weakens. Eventually the pavement weakens to the point where it pops out of the street, exposing the damage to the sub base.
Potholes cause problems for motorists and city maintenance crews at this time of year as we experience the freeze thaw cycle more frequently. As the roads become bare, more cracks are exposed making pavement even more vulnerable.
Temperature fluctuations at this time of year make repairs to streets difficult.
What can you do?
- Slow down
- Avoid driving in puddles where possible
- Report potholes by completing the Service Request Form on the website, or by calling 658-4455. (Note: The Service Request Form even allows you to upload photos!)
What is the City doing?
In the winter, two crews are out with cold mix asphalt patching the worst potholes on main routes.
- Cold mix asphalt (while not desirable compared to hot mix asphalt) is the only form of remedy easily available this time of year and is the easiest repair method available to City crews. Hot mix asphalt plants do not open until April or May.
- The City has begun to use “Micro paver” software, a new system that will allow staff to evaluate each road individually and better target needed repairs and maintenance.
- In addition Saint John Common Council approved over $600,000 more in the 2009 budget for street resurfacing to improve road surfaces in the City.