MoDOT begins pothole repairs on Missouri roads

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Once the snow and ice melts off roads, it can lead to drivers being frustrated with one thing, potholes.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has started repairing potholes on Missouri roads as we are experiencing warmer temperatures this week after having three winter storms in the month of February.

"Crews have already started working on patching potholes and will continue as the weather allows," said Natalie Roark, MoDOT maintenance director in a press release. "When you see a MoDOT crew making repairs, please slow down and move over a lane to give them room to work. And never drive distracted. Remember, Buckle Up Phone Down."

Potholes form when rain and snow from winter leave moisture that seeps into cracks and joints in the pavement and later freezes. This frozen water expands within the pavement causing it to bulge and bend. When the ice melts, gaps or voids are left in the surface and structure of the pavement. When cars and trucks drive over the bulging pavement, it weakens the roadway eventually causing chunks of pavement or asphalt to pop out, creating potholes.

Most of the pothole repairs take place from late February through the end of April. For a short-term fix, crews use a cold asphalt mix with a priority to fill the deepest potholes first.

When a long-term fix takes place crews will use a hot asphalt mix, which isn't effective until temperatures remain warm for a prolonged period.

In 2021, MoDot says they patched nearly 530,000 potholes in Missouri, spending 18 million dollars in pothole patching.

Car experts say one toll to avoid major damage on your car when hitting a pothole is routine alignments, especially after large impacts.

It's also important to have the right amount o air in your tires and have your tires rotated often.

"Overinflation can be just as damaging as underinflation, it will cause you to start losing the center of your tire instead of the edges," Webb said.

Getting your vehicle looked at by a professional every few months to save yourself money in the long run if you do hit a pothole is suggested by car experts.

Webb says, "You wait for something to go thoroughly wrong it will cost you a ton more than it would have cost to get it checked routinely then fixed when it comes up."

If you can't swerve and dodge a pothole, try to slow down before you hit it.

If you can't here are some other safety tips:

•   Don't brake directly over a pothole as this can cause more damage.
•   When driving over the pothole, hold the steering wheel firmly to avoid losing control.
•   Use caution when driving over a puddle of water because it might be a pothole in hiding.
•   Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Properly inflated tires hold up better against potholes than tires that have too much or too little air.

If you come across a pothole and want to report an area with bad potholes, MoDot wants motorists to report the location of potholes on state-maintained roads using the following tools:

• Call the 24/7 Customer Service Center at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636).
• Use the Report a Road Concern form on the web at modot.org
• Use a smart phone/tablet with a mobile friendly form.
• Potholes on city streets or subdivisions should be reported to local city or county maintenance.