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WHAT
CAUSES POTHOLES?
Mostly the weather, of
course.
Potholes are generally caused by moisture,
freeze-thaw action, traffic, poor underlying support or some combination of
these factors.
Today there are over 100 million potholes
plaguing America's
private and public roadways. Maintenance funds have been inadequate to keep
pace with the needed repairs. Backlogs multiply the problem.
When seals and overlays are done regularly,
roads last a long time, but poorly maintained roads cost an average ten times
as much to repair (80 cents compared to 8 cents per square foot). Roadways
handle more and more traffic each year. Heavier and bigger vehicles create
pockmarked pavements everywhere. America's existing roads need to be fixed
and properly maintained first before new ones are built.
HOW
ARE POTHOLES FORMED?
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Potholes develop when the asphalt
pavement and/or the soil layers beneath the asphalt come apart and cannot
support the weight of traffic. Poor drainage allows water to seep through
the edge of the pavement and through cracks. Water softens the soil layers
degrading its supporting properties and allowing the weight of vehicles to
collapse the asphalt pavement. Ice formed between the layers expands and
causes the soil around it to heave upward causing bumps in the asphalt.
When the surrounding areas warm, the ice melts causing the bump to
collapse. This up and down action along with normal use causes the asphalt
to crack and cave in.
Nationwide drivers spend $5.9 billion a
year to repair damages to their vehicles caused by potholes. Government
agencies spend $2.7 billion a year to repair roads. Funds that should be
used to repair damaged roads go instead to build new highways. For the cost
to build a mile of new freeway surface, 100 to 150 miles of existing road
could be repaved.
Adequate drainage is the first step in maintenance of an asphalt
pavement. Preventing cracks on the pavement is the next step. When
cracks do appear, immediately seal the asphalt pavement to prevent potholes
from forming.
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This
IS the pothole FIX!
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