GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — Our indecisive weather isn’t only an annoyance when planning what to wear in the morning; this back and forth is perfect for making potholes.
Potholes are no stranger to the Wisconsin driver, but Steve Grenier, Green Bay’s Director of Public Works, says frequent precipitation this year could make things worse.
“Water flows down into the cracks, or some other defect in the pavement.” said Grenier. “Then at night that freezes and turns into a lens of ice. That’s the anatomy of a pothole; that’s how they develop.”
Old streets with older pavement are more susceptible to potholes, due to more wear and tear in the pavement.
In order for a pothole to be patched up, the area needs to be completely dried out. Grenier says when it isn’t dry enough outside, they’ll use equipment like propane torches to heat the area so they can build a repair that lasts.
There is a way Green Bay residents can help reduce the amount of potholes. Visit the City of Green Bay’s website to report a specific pothole. The information then goes directly to the Street Department.