Slow down on roads, practice pothole patience | News, Sports, Jobs

They appear before the flowers bloom.

They are fed by road salt in the winter and begin to appear as part of the Valley’s freeze-and-thaw cycle.

They are potholes — the annual curse on Ohio motorists and municipalities.

Now that we’ve gone through the most recent attack of snow and ice, the familiar scourge of the pothole once again is visiting the region.

They’re everywhere. They’re on side streets and main roads. They can be found on highways and even in parking lots at area businesses.

Every driver knows of the notable holes that have developed along their usual driving route.

And, sadly, the potholes aren’t going away anytime soon.

The rain, ice and snow that has been hammering our region lately, and temperatures that rise into the 40s and then fall below freezing time and again as spring equinox approaches, all combine for the perfect recipe for pothole creation. It’s a sure bet more asphalt will crumble, and holes, large and small, will emerge.

Kevin Flinn, Youngstown’s building and grounds commissioner, recently told our reporter the city’s street department employs a strategy for filling the holes.

“The freeze-thaw cycles and consistent salting and plowing have a significant impact on streets this winter,” Flinn said. “The city works to get potholes patched as quickly as possible, weather permitting. The best time for pothole repairs are on dry days when the temperature is at least 40 degrees or above.”

In Warren, Safety Service Director Eddie Colbert said street crews respond to potholes as they are called in by residents or identified by the department.

Tom Klejka, highway superintendent for the Trumbull County Engineer’s Office, said cold patch is a temporary fix that is pliable in cold weather and is made from aggregate and an asphalt material.

“It’s a little more forgiving,” Klejka said, noting on most days he has three or four crews out patching the potholes.

During the summer, Klejka said crews use hot recycled asphalt, which offers a longer-lasting fix than the cold-patch method. But the warm weather of summer is still a long way away.

Estimates from local repair shops put pothole automobile damage totals anywhere between $200 and $1,000 or even higher. AAA calculates the average damage to be around $306.

We drive the same roads that you do and experience their condition on a daily basis. There’s no easy solution to be offered — only patience. The same crews we depended on last week to clear the snow and ice from our streets and help remove fallen trees are now trying to fill holes along main streets. Undoubtedly their efforts are sorely needed and their hard work appreciated.

But, sadly, attempts to patch won’t be completely effective until the weather warms up. Until then, take it easy while driving. Watch speeding into puddles because that water could be hiding a wheel-bending hole.

Be cautious on roads where you know holes are and watch for other drivers trying to avoid the worst of them. Hopefully, they’ll do the same for you as you try to navigate the rough spots.

During that time, AAA Motorists club offers these tips to help dodge the potholes and minimize vehicle damage:

• Inspect your tires. Properly inflated tires can act as a cushion when hitting a pothole.

• Look ahead. Make a point of scanning the road for potholes so you can react in time to avoid hitting one.

• Slow down. If a pothole cannot be avoided, reduce speed safely without abrupt braking.

• Beware of puddles. Puddles often disguise deep potholes.

• Recognize noises / vibrations. A hard pothole impact can dislodge wheel weights, damage the tire or wheel and even break suspension components. Any unusual noises after a pothole hit should be inspected immediately.

• Check for a spare. Many newer cars do not have spare tires. Check to see if your vehicle is equipped with a spare, and make sure to check its tire pressure regularly.

Don’t hesitate to report your “favorite” potholes to your local government, but remember, we’re all in this together, and a little understanding about the situation will certainly be appreciated.

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