City roads seeing less potholes as crews fix 3,500 in two months
Calgary - Mayor Naheed Nenshi today visited Calgary road crews who are working across the city, filling potholes. Crews have been out repairing potholes since early April and have filled more than 3,500 in the past two months.
“Every year, we get potholes thanks to the freeze-thaw cycle conditions that cause additional stress on our roadways,” said Mayor Nenshi, adding potholes are a problem in all winter cities across Canada. “But, in Calgary, with the harsh winter we had, this year has been particularly difficult here. I am happy to say our crews are making great progress in getting them filled.”
Potholes form when snow melts into cracks in the asphalt and then freezes, expanding in the cracks. The number of 311 reports of potholes this year is approximately 5,000 (including duplicate reports of the same pothole) which is slightly higher than what has been seen in previous years.
“As crews were not able to fix potholes throughout the winter this year due to extreme cold temperatures, they have been playing catch-up to get the work done,” said Mayor Nenshi, adding crews are currently filling about 700 potholes a week. “They are making great progress but we still have some work to do.”
Crews address potholes on a priority basis with major roads being completed first. To identify pavement in need of repair, The City inspects major roads twice a month and collector roads once a month. In residential areas, however, The City relies on citizens to report concerns.
The City encourages residents and motorists to help ensure that potholes are identified and repaired by reporting them by calling 311 or using the road repair form on the 311-online system at Calgary.ca.
Being responsive to neighborhood complaints, including filling potholes, is critical to improving residents’ quality of life, said Mayor Nenshi. “We appreciate the patience and understanding from Calgarians as our crews continue to work hard to improve the roads for them.”
The City has budgeted $6.2 million this year for minor asphalt repairs which includes potholes.
Roads Director Troy McLeod is reminding drivers to slow down and watch out for crews working to repair potholes on city streets. “When driving, remember to always look ahead. If you can spot a pothole in advance, then you have time to steer clear of it safely, without leaving your lane, or by safely changing lanes,” he added.
Some additional driving safety tips to remember during pothole season include:
• Don’t tailgate: Leaving plenty of space between your vehicle and the one in front of you increases your odds of identifying a pothole with enough distance to avoid it.
• Avoid puddles: Be cautious when driving through water as there may be potholes hiding in it.
• Slow down: If you can’t safely avoid a pothole, slow down to help mitigate damage.
• Check tire pressure: Ensure your tires are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure. Under- or over-inflated tires can make pothole damage worse.
-30-