INDOT trying to repair potholes

The Indiana Department of Transportation is warning residents to keep an eye out for potholes on state roads, according to an INDOT press release.

The freeze and thaw cycles of early spring are a recipe for potholes. Maintenance crews are working to repair state roads, the release said, but given the 5,000 lane miles the district are responsible for, work is slow.

Potholes are created when water seeps into cracks in the road and freezes.
Hot mix asphalt companies tend to close when the weather is too cold for paving. Because of the lack of paving resources in early spring, fixes tend to be only semi-permanent, according to the release.

Temporary fixes are usually made of liquid asphalt and small stone, which require ongoing maintenance.

The state is working to increase efforts in pavement preservation in order to save resources and taxpayer dollars. According to a release from Gov. Mike Pence’s office, pavement preservation should save taxpayers $6 to $14 in maintenance and construction costs.

As of early February, INDOT had spent about $2.9 million and used about 6,900 tons of material this fiscal year.

In 2013, INDOT filled and sealed 5,919 lane miles of highway, according to the
release.

INDOT divides the state into six districts, not based on county lines. Monroe County is a part of the Southeast Seymour District.

The Southeast Seymour District includes about 16 Indiana counties.

Mary Katherine Wildeman