After working around the clock to treat and clear the state’s highway system in the midst of a winter storm last week, the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) is aggressively patching potholes that formed as a result of the freeze-thaw cycles.
The West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) will first address primary roadways, then move to secondary and tertiary roads as the winter storm gives way to milder weather in many parts of the state.
“When we start to put together our action plan for potholes or damage to the roadway, we start with the highest priority roads and the ones that have the most amount of people on the roads,” said Joe Pack, Chief Engineer of Operations. “If there are potholes that are dangerous or damaging vehicles, we will then prioritize that to a higher level and get those completed and fixed first.”
Although potholes can occur year-round, most crop up during the cold winter months when the WVDOH has the fewest options for repairs.
Crews can make temporary pothole repairs using a mixture of cold asphalt. Potholes are milled out square and filled in the same manner as hot asphalt, but the cold mixture is less durable and intended to prevent damage to cars until permanent repairs can be made when asphalt plants reopen in spring.
