While warmer temperatures are always welcome after a particularly cold winter, the recent fluctuating temperatures, ample moisture, and aging pavements are keeping the Iowa Department of Transportation, as well as county and city road crews, busy fixing potholes and addressing other structural damage to our streets, roads, and bridges.

Iowa DOT crews travel our state’s highways regularly, but we can’t be everywhere all the time. That’s where you come in. If you see a pothole on an interstate or state highway, let us know on Facebook www.facebook.com/iowadot or Twitter www.twitter.com/iowadot using the hashtag #IAFillUsIn. Be sure to provide specific location information so we can find the pothole in question. For potholes on streets or county roadways, contact the local city administrator /engineer or county engineer.

Pothole 101

Potholes are mostly caused by moisture getting into or underneath pavement. During the late winter/early spring freeze and thaw periods, moisture causes the asphalt or concrete material to shift, buckle, or fracture. Vehicles traveling over these weakened areas dislodge the pavement material, leaving those dreaded potholes. Potholes can also occur on previously patched pavements where friction from activities such as snow removal dislodges the old patches.

In a typical year, the Iowa DOT spends approximately $4 million on repairing pot holes. When the weather is cooler, the repairs are sometimes temporary until more permanent warm-weather patching materials can be used.

So whether you see a crew out patching a pothole or doing other work this construction season, use caution whenever you see flashing lights and always move over or slow down for your family, friends, and neighbors working to keep you safer on Iowa’s highways.

For questions specific to your geographic area, contact: