Anyone traveling the roadways in Manitowoc has more than likely noticed the number of potholes that have popped up on many roads throughout the city. We sat down with Chad Scheinoha, the Operations Division Manager for the City of Manitowoc, and he explained that potholes are a very common thing in any part of the country where frost forms under the roadway. “…as that frost starts working out of the surface, when the sun gets higher, temperatures get warmer, the water seeps down into that surface. Traffic works that water during the day and at night it re-freezes.” Scheinoha told us. “The expansion of that water as it freezes under there pops everything loose again. The next morning, temperatures start to warm up, traffic continues to drive over it, and then it all breaks loose…” which creates the pothole.
Chad explained to SeehaferNews.com that the places where they get their hot asphalt are not open, so they have to resort to a lower volume solution, called cold mix asphalt. When they use the cold mix asphalt, they drive a route, focusing on the main arterials. According to Chad, “Our crews are instructed to only do large potholes this time of year. Softball size or bigger so we get to all the large potholes.” The roadway priorities for pothole repair are the same as the guidelines the plow trucks use in winter. Once the hot asphalt retailers open up, a larger scale fix will be put in place.
The Operations Division Manager also told us that they appreciate when people respectfully inform them of any large potholes that have formed. If you see one on your street, and it hasn’t been taken care of in a couple of days, be sure to give them a call at 686-6550.
