Pothole. The word causes consternation and fear to motorists at this time of year.
Spring is the most treacherous season for your vehicle’s tires and suspension due to the arrival of these wicked apparitions in roadways where a piece of pavement has mysteriously dissolved, fragmented, or even disappeared into thin air.
Locally, motorists can expect a bumper crop of potholes this year, says Mayor Brian Jackson.
“I would think the situation this year is as great, if not more so, than in previous years,” Jackson says.
“We’ve had various freezes and thaws. It’s been very hard on our roads.”
The majority of potholes are caused by fatigue to the road surface. As the road is subjected to warming and then freezing temperatures, trapped moisture creates fissures, which eventually form a pattern called “alligator cracking.”
Once formed, a pothole can only grow larger as chunks of pavement between cracks are loosened and broken apart by traffic.
Water only makes the problem worse. Water washes away pavement as cars and trucks go by. A pothole can quickly grow into a monster several feet wide but usually only a few inches deep. However, a pothole can cause hundreds of dollars of damage to a vehicle.
At this time of year, municipalities are somewhat limited as to what they can do to remedy the problem.
Patches using hot asphalt are the best solution but the plants that manufacture the hot mix aren’t in production for another few weeks. Until then, crews use a cold mix that can only offer a temporary solution. Potholes are usually wet and cold mix is soft. Therefore any repair work usually needs to be repeated a few days later.
Innisfil crews have been very busy the past week trying to keep on top of the situation, Jackson says.
“It’s been significant. As the frost comes out of the roads, it will worsen.”
The town doesn’t have a separate budget dedicated to fixing potholes. Costs come out of the general maintenance fund.
And there’s really no solution except constant vigilance by municipal roads crews and discretion by motorists.
In other words, slow down if you’re driving on a road with potholes present.
If you come across a particularly nasty one, call Town Hall (436-3710) to let the roads department know.
Today's Weather 
Unknown and 16°C
Unknown and 16°C
