Penticton’s problems with potholes plummet after pleasant winter

PENTICTON – It’s pothole season in Penticton – but cruising the city streets, one would have a hard time noticing it.

Penticton’s paved streets got a reprieve from severe winter damage this year due to the unseasonably mild and dry winter.

Penticton Communications Officer Simone Blais said public works crews have been working throughout the winter to apply “cold mix” to problem potholes as they become aware of them.

She said statistically, it’s been a good year in terms of fewer potholes on city roads.

“The asphalt plants shut down, generally from November to March, so work crews apply a temporary cold mix until full repairs can take place,” Blais said.

City public works has identified approximately 50 potholes on city streets, which have been prioritized. They range in size from one foot wide to very minor holes in the pavement.

According to Pothole.INFO, potholes can be a product of cracks, water, winter cold and summer sun. Water seeping under pavement that is subject to a series of freeze-thaw cycles eventually expands and creates a gap between the pavement and sub-surface.  A vehicle drives over top of the spot and the pavement collapses, resulting in a pothole.

Blais said work crews have been able to stay on top of pothole damage, mainly due to the weather. The city struggled with two major snowfalls earlier in the season, but had little snowfall after that. Temperatures also played a role, remaining moderate for a good part of the season.

Crews patched approximately 100 potholes through the winter, responding to calls from residents and patching other holes the crews came across while in a particular neighbourhood.

“Our public works foreman is always looking for potholes,” said Blais, adding the city looks after 217 kilometres of paved roads within the city limits.

She said crews hope to be out making permanent repairs to city streets next week, and will most likely start with the exceptionally large pothole created by February’s water main break at the corner of Main Street and Wade Avenue.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.