As snow melts and temperatures swing above and below freezing, potholes start to appear on local roads. This is a common spring issue caused by the freeze-thaw cycle.
When daytime temperatures rise, water seeps into small cracks in the pavement. When temperatures drop again overnight, that water freezes, expands and pushes the pavement apart. Over time, and with regular traffic, those weakened areas can break down and form potholes. Thanks to our unusual +20°C temperatures earlier this year, crews in Okotoks got an early start on pothole repairs. Since then, they have been out regularly repairing problem areas across the community.
During cooler, wetter conditions, crews use cold mix asphalt, which is designed to work in damp and chilly weather. Once temperatures remain consistently warm, they will shift to hot mix asphalt for longer-lasting repairs.
More than 300 potholes are repaired each year using cold mix asphalt alone, not including additional spray patching work completed throughout the season.
See a pothole? Report It!
If you spot a pothole that needs attention, report it! Community reports help crews identify priority areas and respond as quickly as possible. Report a pothole with our Report It! app at Okotoks.ca/Report-It or call 403-938-2985