Potholes aplenty
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No Comments [ Add Comment ]By MITCH SHAW
Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau
While one of the most severe winters in recent memory lingers on, state and city officials are scrambling to fix the potholes left behind and hoping for a longer break in the weather.
Utah Department of Transportation officials say the rough winter conditions have caused a significant number of potholes along many roads throughout the Top of Utah.
"Typically, we don't see potholes like we are seeing this year," said Andy Neff, UDOT public involvement coordinator. "This year is kind of an anomaly. The last five to 10 years haven't been anywhere near as severe as this year."
Neff said potholes are caused mainly by excess moisture that freezes and thaws on the road.
Many communities throughout the Wasatch Front have seen more than 100 inches of snow this winter, and roads have had moisture on them for months.
"Obviously, this year we have had a lot of moisture," Neff said.
"For a while, there it seemed like we were getting a major storm every other day."
UDOT is responsible for fixing potholes on all state roads, and also clearing away the snow on those roads.
UDOT's annual Region One budget, which includes Davis and Weber counties, is $3.5 million. Neff said because of all the excess snow removal this year, UDOT is already $750,000 over budget in this area.
The constant snow-removal process also contributes to the pothole problem.
"We have put down a lot of salt this year to get rid of all the excess snow," he said. "That much salt can start to eat away at the roads a little bit and contribute to the potholes."
With a break in the weather Monday and Tuesday, UDOT began fixing potholes along Interstate 15 from Bountiful to Ogden. Neff said I-15 repairs take top priority, and repairs will continue through the spring.
"All of our roads are priorities, but we generally try to take care of the higher-traveled roads first, and obviously the biggest potholes have first priority, as well," Neff said. "But we try and get to them as soon as we have the available resources."
One high-occupancy road that has seen some significant pothole damage this year is Riverdale Road in Weber County.
Clinton resident Nate Stegen, who takes Riverdale Road to work every day, said the road has more potholes this year than it has in the past.
"It seems like they are worse this year," he said. "There is nothing too big. It's just a little bumpy, kind of like driving on a dirt road."
Although the road has been hit hard with potholes, with major construction to add lanes to the road beginning this spring, officials are holding off on any major repairs.
"There is some reluctance to do anything major on the west end because the road will be torn up and rebuilt in the spring," said Riverdale Mayor Bruce Burrows. "And the cold weather makes it difficult to do some of the patching."
Neff said UDOT makes whatever fixes it can to all worn-out roads, even though during this time of year, it may only be a temporary fix.
"It's difficult to get the proper asphalt this time of year," he said. "To fix potholes, we typically use what is called a hot mix. Now we are using a cold mix, and that is more of a temporary fix."
Ogden and Layton officials also said potholes have been some of the worst they've seen in their cities, but they expected as much.
"It just comes with the territory," said Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey. "That's what happens when you live in Utah and deal with the four seasons."
Layton Public Works Assistant Manager Paul Applonie said Layton has had more potholes this year, but they haven't caused much of an inconvenience.
"We have had a couple of bad areas, but we've been able to stay on top of things," he said. "With the winter we've had, we've expected it."
While larger potholes can be dangerous, so far they are mostly just a hassle that can cause tire and suspension damage to vehicles.
"My advice would just be to tell motorists to slow down a little bit," Neff said. "The damage will be a lot worse if you are going 75 mph rather than 55."
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