Pothole problems may worsen this winter
Sharp temperature swings could contribute to damage
Connecticut’s swinging temperatures — from frigid lows in the single digits this week to highs near 50 next week — may contribute to more potholes on the roads this year.
The craters in the pavement form during the freeze-thaw cycle, when water infiltrates small cracks in the road. Over time, the crack widens as the moisture freezes and expands, leading to more cracking, said Josh Morgan, a spokesperson for the state Department of Transportation. Eventually, plows, tractor-trailers and vehicular traffic over the broken pavement “just sort of loosens that up, which then can create the pothole,” he said.
“Really our busy time for pothole reports to us is really like the start of spring,” Morgan said, “when we’re out of winter when we get into those warmer temperatures where we don’t have that freeze anymore.”
This week saw temperatures that plummeted into the teens. Overnight lows Friday, Saturday and Sunday night were expected to drop into the single digits in parts of the state. But after Sunday, things are expected to warm up, with rain and highs near 50 expected by Thursday.
Morgan noted the temperature swings are nothing new or unexpected for New England. But with climate change, he said the agency needs to keep an eye on whether they’re becoming more extreme or frequent, just like recent rain events.
“Our crews are well equipped and well trained to be able to respond and make these repairs quickly, as soon as we’re made aware of them,” Morgan said.
The state DOT is responsible for repairing road damage to state roads, as well as the interstates that crisscross Connecticut. Potholes on town and city roads are the municipality’s responsibility. Morgan noted the money the agency spends fixing potholes isn’t a separate line item — it’s considered part of crews’ day-to-day operations to go out and apply patch.
AAA surveyed drivers and found that in 2021, one in 10 drivers suffered damage to a vehicle from a pothole, with an average repair bill of $600. The organization put the national cost of damage done by the holes in the road at $26.5 billion.
Morgan said the DOT receives reports about potholes from all over state, and no particular area jumps off the page. He said potholes are one more reason for drivers to stay alert on the road.
“So if there is something in the roadway, whether it’s a pothole or a dead animal or debris, they’re able to move out of the way and respond quickly — that reaction time is so important,” he added.