(February 5, 2014) Jackson, Tenn.-Potholes are one of the unfortunate driving hazards we encounter on the roads.
Interstate 40, a major artery in the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, runs from Barstow, California to Wilmington, North Carolina.
The 2,555 mile highway serves California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
There are hundreds of potholes all along Interstate 40 from the Mississippi River to the Tennessee River.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation, or TDOT, works to fix these potholes. Just last night, crews were out in Madison County to repair some potholes.
Potholes are formed when moisture seeps down into the pavement, freezes, expands, and thaws. This weakens the pavement, as does traffic. The ground will eventually crumble and a pothole will form.
Potholes generally turn up during the Spring because ice that may have formed is melted and creates the air pockets that will crumble the pavement.
A good indicator of the amount of potholes is a winter of heavy snow and rain and several freeze-thaw cycles.
Potholes are repaired by carving out a rectangle, and applying and adhesive and then layering asphalt. It’s then leveled off and compacted.
Some potholes can indeed come back due to the cause not being corrected, cold or wet conditions not letting the repair work, and “cold mix” not being durable.
Cold mix is used during the winter months when asphalt plants are closed and hot asphalt is not available until the spring months.
Information used in this report is courtesy of the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
