The New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced the beginning of its annual campaign to repair potholes across the state.
This winter’s unusual weather pattern of temperatures constantly fluctuating above and below freezing, along with frequent rainfall, is causing a large number of potholes on state highways, which pose a risk for motorists, according to a statement released by Commissioner Richard T. Hammer.
“This winter has been particularly harsh on our roads with potholes developing much earlier in the season than normal,” Hammer said. “Therefore, we are beginning our annual pothole campaign now instead of in the spring. DOT is committed to repairing state highways as quickly as possible to ensure New Jersey’s roads are in good condition.”
To deal with potholes in the most aggressive and efficient manner, DOT will allow crews throughout the state to close travel lanes where necessary during daytime hours, including during peak travel times for priority repairs, according to the statement.
Where possible, crews will limit daytime work hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., per standard protocol, and will try to avoid working in travel lanes carrying traffic during peak times. However, motorists might encounter maintenance crews making priority repairs any time of the day or night during this campaign.
It is important to slow down in work zones so DOT crews can safely make repairs, Hammer said.
In addition to the department’s usual winter pothole repair method of using cold-patch material, DOT is using 13 state-of-the-art pothole-filling machines, which make a more durable repair than cold patch, according to the statement. The pothole-filling machine is a truck that can heat a mix of asphalt and gravel before injecting the mixture into the pothole. These machines require just one person to operate, with another worker operating a safety truck.
To view a video of a pothole-filling machine, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaYi16bvrJ0.
“The pothole-filling machines provide several advantages to the traditional ‘throw-and-go’ method where a crew shovels cold patch into a pothole,” said Andrew Tunnard, assistant commissioner for Operations and Maintenance. “The machines save time and money by providing a more lasting repair. They also allow our crews to cover a larger area more quickly and safely because the worker doesn’t have to get out of the truck.”
As the weather continues to warm up and asphalt plants reopen, crews will start to perform permanent patch operations on particularly problematic sections of roadway. This is more extensive work that includes milling and paving a small area of the road, and generally will be done overnight, according to DOT.
In the past five years, DOT has repaired on average 218,500 potholes per year. Since last July, the DOT has repaired more than 76,000 potholes, with the busiest pothole repair season just starting, according to the statement.
Detailed current repair locations will be posted on a continual basis at www.511nj.org.
In addition to crews monitoring and reporting potholes that need repair on state highways, motorists are encouraged to report potholes as well by calling 1-800-POTHOLE or visiting www.nj.gov/transportation.
