No matter where I drive on township, county or state roads potholes are there. There seems to be quite a few more than usual and bigger ones too.
Potholes on the interstate highways make me wonder, was there a meteor storm that I missed? Will Mad Max be passing me soon driving an armored tanker?
It used to be that pothole repair was one of those things that could not take place until hot mix plants opened. I called some of the local road crews to find out when our local rides will become a bit smoother.
Until the asphalt plants open, I learned that townships make use of a substance called cold mix or patch. It is usually a temporary fix, but can last awhile
“We’ve been through six tons of cold patch already,” said Don O’Conner, Road Superintendent at Mad River Township.
He said that his crew is now waiting for the hot mix plants to open, but will tackle any reported large potholes, which he refers to as “man eaters.”
Hot asphalt plants should open within the next couple of weeks. Then serious heavy duty road repairs begin.
Bethel Township is facing the same issues, but has an advantage in a piece of equipment called the Dura Patcher. They do not have to wait for the opening of the hot mix plants.
“We attack the worst ones first. We’ve already been out for the first round of repairs,” said Tim King, Road Superintendent for Bethel Township. “We will take care of complaints first then start the second round of repairs.
King said his crew will repair simple cracks and potholes with the Dura Patcher and cold patch, but will wait to fix major problems after the hot mix plants open.
Both superintendents say it’ll take awhile to get all the potholes fixed, but rest assured they are on it.
Meanwhile, keep your eyes open as you drive any roads from township to Interstates.
You wouldn’t want to hit the NASA Lunar Rover, would you?
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