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from staff reports OIL CITY � As spring approaches, winter�s wear and tear on Pennsylvania roadways becomes evident in the form of potholes. PennDOT explains the science of how potholes form and how to terminate them. Just what is a pothole? Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) describes potholes as �bowl-shaped holes of various sizes in the pavement surface, with a minimum width of six inches.� (Better Road, 2-04). Potholes form in a variety of ways: n Water goes through the pavement and collects under the road. n The water freezes and expands, pushing the pavement upward causing cracks and separation. n Once the pavement thaws, the cracks and broken pieces cause dips in the roadway. n Traffic breaks about the depression and makes the pothole larger. n Frost under the roadway can push the road surface up and also cause cracking and separation. n Quick freeze/thaw cycles cause potholes as well as long below-zero stretches through the expansion and contraction of the roadway. Pothole patching is an on-going process during winter in northwestern Pennsylvania. County maintenance crews use cold patch or spary patch methods to deal with the problems as they arise. Cold patch usually involves a truck and a maintenance crew to clean out the pothole and fill it with a cold mixture of oil and stone that stays pliable during cold temperatures. Cold patch is the only pre-mixed material available during the winter months to repair potholes. Another method used is spray patch � using hot oil and a machine that sprays the oil and stone mixture into the hole. This provides a longer lasting patch that waterproofs itself but is limited to warmer temperatues; usually above freezing is preferred. Potholes are a challenge that the county maintenance crews deal with on a day to day basis. Anyone who sees a pothole on a state road can call PennDOT at 1-800-FIX-ROAD and report the location. Add a comment |
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