You would think the weather gods would give us a break after shelling out for winter tires, scraping off our vehicles, and waiting for our cars to defrost so that they are safe to drive, for months on end. And don't get us started on the salt stains on the bottoms of our pants!
No, that is not enough to appease the weather gods. If we want summer to shine down on us with blessed rays, we must first endure pothole season.
A local repair shop has already been busy this year dealing with pothole-related damages. With labour rates averaging between $80 to $110 per hour, and typical damages to wheels, tires and suspensions caused by potholes, costs can easily run into the hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. A recent repair job for a vehicle that hit a deep hole in the North Bay Mall parking lot cost the owner $1,200.
The Public Works department is taking a proactive approach to pothole season. From a City of North Bay release:
"If you would like to report a pothole, please call Public Works at 705-474-4340. Please provide a detailed description of the pothole's location. The size of the pothole is very important, as those that are large, deep or threatening to traffic are addressed first.
"The winter and spring seasons typically present issues for crews when trying to patch potholes. During these seasons pothole fixes are generally only temporary because you can’t achieve a good bond between the pavement and the patch. As a result, the patches deteriorate quickly when subjected to the freeze/thaw cycles, traffic and weather."
Tell us where the worst potholes are in our comments section below. Post pictures, too. And don't forget to report that pothole that you can never dodge because of the guy that drives right beside you all the way down the street. Most of all, be safe, and we will get through pothole season together, with our suspensions intact.
