How holes are fixed doesn’t always please drivers, but you shouldn’t expect patches to be long-term solutions.
Q. I certainly understand how and why potholes happen. It seems the city just takes a scoop of patch and pours it in the hole, shaves off a little excess and then moves on without tamping the patch into the hole. – John Carter
A. It might be time to lower your expectations for quick fixes, John.
During cold months, the city uses a mix designed to withstand the harsh weather changes during the winter. When it is warm, crews use hot asphalt from the city’s plant daily to patch holes and repair streets. The hot asphalt is more of a permanent repair, but all newly placed asphalt can be jostled by cars to a certain extent.
In both cases, crews are instructed to compact repairs, but heavy traffic can loosen the materials – especially if the asphalt is newly placed and the repairs are not deep. I have seen the same hole repaired multiple times, but I’d rather have that than the city just allow the holes to sit there.
Q. I don’t understand why the repairs on the concrete stretches of Interstate 469 are asphalted. They last less than one season. – Matt Collins
A. The simple answer is time and money, Matt.
Toni Mayo, spokeswoman for the Indiana Department of Transportation, said state maintenance crews prefer using asphalt for repairs because they can be done faster and for less cost.
While some patches fail, others perform well, she said. If follow-up maintenance is required, it’s easier for state crews to perform it on asphalt patches.
The state is analyzing how to most effectively rehabilitate the interstate for the long term, Mayo said.
In the meantime, the state will patch the holes until a more permanent solution, and money, is available.
Ewing open
The city finally opened Ewing Street to traffic downtown between Berry and Wayne streets. This opening marks the end of months of sewer work along the northbound street, and will make easier downtown driving.
Pontiac beautification
The Fort Wayne Board of Works this week approved a plan to spruce up Pontiac Street from Warsaw Street to Anthony Boulevard. The plan would replace sidewalks in the area, install curb ramps and improve street lighting. The project is expected to begin construction late this summer and be mostly complete by Nov. 30, although some grass planting would not occur until the spring.
Radio Sage
This week’s audio question comes from Mike Simone, who asks about the intersection of Illinois and Hadley roads. I again try to explain how to use this safely, first on WOWO Friday afternoon and online at www.journalgazette.net/roadsage.
