ODOT working to patch potholes

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – While warmer temperatures means melting snow it also creates a new hazard on the roads. Potholes.

Transportation Administrator Phil Valentine from the Ohio Department of Transportation said due to the recent freeze and thaw, potholes have already started to appear on the roads. He said the different types of winter weather puts stress on the roads, causing potholes to form.

“Then all that snow and rain and stuff that we get as it freezes and expands out the pavement and causes potholes to pop up both in the asphalt and the concrete,” said Valentine.

Valentine said they will spend the next few days of warmer weather fixing up the trucks for when winter weather returns, as well as patching roads until they can be fixed permanently.

“We frequently inspect our routes,” said Valentine. “So we’ve got guys right now running out and checking all the routes trying to get to them. Some may still take a few days to pop up.”

Valentine said they usually do not have full work zone set up for patching work so it’s important for drivers to slow down when they see crews working.