Crews continuing pothole repair work on city streets

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on April 28, 2023.

Herald photo by Al Beeber City crews repair some potholes on Uplands Boulevard Thursday morning. Crews are working night and day using hot asphalt to fill holes throughout the city after a severe winter of freeze and thaw cycles that wreaked havoc on Lethbridge roads.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

‘Tis the season for pothole repairs and City crews are out in full force repairing the damage caused by last winter’s extreme freeze and thaw cycles.

But despite signs warning of a road closure, motorists ignored the work being done by City crews on Thursday morning in full view of media cameras on Uplands Boulevard North.

Perhaps in response to the stream of traffic going through the closed block, Transportation Operations manager Julianne Ruck made a point of emphasizing the need for safety and respect for crews as they repair city roads.

So far, the City has heard more than 200 inquiries about potholes from local residents. Usually in a year, staff get about 400 and with each call involving five to 10 holes, that means the City will be filling roughly 2,000 potholes a year.

“Since mid-April we’ve been able to receive hot asphalt from our local suppliers and have had crews out day and night to fix potholes,” Ruck said.

In shoulder seasons, crews use a “hot box” which keeps the asphalt warm, said Ruck.

Crews close roads, do a job-specific hazard assessment, set up traffic accommodations/temporary road closures to mitigate hazards and then clean out the holes of asphalt, debris, leaves and even moisture.

A substance called Tackoil is applied which acts as a glue to connect the old and new asphalt and to avoid future water infiltration and a new pothole from forming, said

Ruck.

After the Tackoil is applied, sometimes a torch is needed to heat it up again, she said. After that is done, asphalt is replaced, raked and compacted.

The asphalt is left a little higher than the road surface because the roller will compact it. New asphalt is left to sit 0.5 centimetre above existing asphalt because it will shrink slightly as it cures.

“This winter was fairly challenging with all the ice and snow on the roads,” Ruck added.

Potholes and cracks are a priority with the City because they are preventative maintenance.

“If we can fix these issues right away then we’ll extend the life of the road,” she said.

Night crews are presently on major roads to avoid vehicles because of higher traffic volumes on them. And with nights being cold, there is a higher risk of more damage being caused.

In 2022, the City responded to 400 service requests, Ruck said.

Ruck said residents should call 311 to report areas of concern and to drive carefully where crews are working.