City of Calgary crews are on a roll when it comes to filling potholes this year.
Crew have filled 35,864 potholes as of mid-November, and the total is expected to rise if the nice weather sticks around.
“While our crews continue to be ready for winter maintenance operations, we can still take advantage of the weather and continue our good work on the pothole repair program,” Chris Hewitt, Manager of Mobility Maintenance said. “We have exceeded 2023’s record of 33,000 potholes filled. At this point the weather will likely determine how many more we’re able to fill through the end of the year.”
Potholes usually form in the spring after the freeze-thaw cycle. When moisture gets into the road, it freezes below the surface and forms an ice pocket. When the pocket disappears it leaves an empty space, which eventually becomes a pothole.
New technology improves filling process
A new tool is also making it easier for crews filling potholes — a mobile infrared heater.
The heater allows sections of road to be repaired quickly, the city says, and allows crews to use reclaimed asphalt for the repairs.
Materials used in traditional repair, like hot tar, aren’t needed with the infrared heater, meaning the work can be done with less materials, fewer pieces of equipment, and fewer staff.
Crews began using this tool in the late summer.
The machine uses infrared heating to heat the existing asphalt on the road, creating a seamless bond between the new asphalt and the existing pavement, the city explains. This results in smoother and longer-lasting repairs. It’s intended to be used for smaller repairs, but is expected to give higher quality resutls than traditional repair methods.
“Our infrared asphalt heater is an example of how The City of Calgary is continuing to look for innovative ways to maintain our road network,” Hewitt said. “This machine works by heating the surface of the road, meaning we can repair and reclaim existing asphalt without the risk of burning, scaling or separating the asphalt from the aggregate. We look forward to continue monitoring how this device can help us tackle road repairs in the future.”
Calgarians are encouraged to report potholes by calling 311 or using the mobile app. Once a pothole is reported, it gets added to a maintenance list and prioritized based on road use and severity.