This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Fluctuating winter weather is taking its toll on Salt Lake Valley's streets.
The thaw and freeze cycle means potholes are popping up and public works crews are scrambling to fix them, whether for the short- or long-term.
Potholes are caused by moisture sinking down into the roadbed, where it then freezes and expands, explained Rick North, Draper's operations superintendent and pothole expert. The expansion causes small pieces to pop up above the road surface, where they are caught and torn by passing vehicles or snowplows. The problem is generally one that develops overnight, making it difficult to predict problem areas.
"You can have one immediately," North said. "You never know when they are going to come."
Each pothole costs an average of $52 to repair, Sandy spokeswoman Trina Duerksen said, and Sandy has had more than 850 holes and similar road repairs since July.
Older roads are particularly prone to potholes, said Trace Robinson, Riverton city engineer. In many cases, cities are hoping to hold roads together just until the construction season can begin.
The expense has led city and state engineers to look at other ways to fix potholes. The Utah Department of Transportation recently replaced several roads in South Jordan with concrete instead of asphalt, said city spokesman Chip Dawson, and the city is watching to see how it holds up. So far, the concrete roads, including Redwood Road, 10600 South and 11400 South, seem to hold up well in winter weather, but are more difficult and expensive to repair once damaged.
Cities also try to prevent potholes during warmer months by overlaying and repairing severely damaged streets, said West Jordan spokeswoman Kim Wells. Crews also spread long snakes of tar to seal cracks and keep asphalt from springing up.
Pothole alert
Phone numbers to call to report a pothole:
Bluffdale • 801-254-2200
Draper • 801-576-6517
Herriman • 801-446-5323
Holladay • 801-272-9450
Midvale • 801-567-7235
Murray • 801-270-2440
Riverton • 801-208-3138
Salt Lake City • 801-535-7116 or 801-535-6999
Sandy • 801-568-2999
S. Jordan • 801-254-3742
S. Salt Lake • 801-483-6045
West Jordan • 801-569-5700
West Valley City • 801-955-3720
Residents of unincorporated Salt Lake County can make reports online at http://www.co.slc.ut.us. Click on "No Wrong Door to County Government."
South Jordan also has an online reporting system at http://www.sjc.utah.gov. Click on the "Fix it Forum."