SASKATOON, SASK. – The City of Sasktoon is heating up its pothole repairs this winter.
Crews will be using new technology to extend the season for permanent pothole repairs.
The infrared thermal equipment will help to repair potholes during temperatures as cold as -10 C as a pilot study that will continue into 2018. The project will also conduct permanent repairs using recycled asphalt.
"This equipment allows us to address issues on high-traffic roads before they become a major hazard," said Brandon Harris, director of roadways and operations, in a press release. "In past winters, we’ve returned to repair temporary patches daily at high traffic locations when hot mix asphalt is not produced. Now we will be able to permanently patch it the first time."
The infrared pothole patcher is a self-contained trailer with a propane-fuelled heating system that uses a thermal-heated metal plate to soften the existing asphalt to a workable state. Recycled asphalt is mixed in with the existing material to fill the hole, explains the release.
"In addition to a smoother driving surface, the seamless transition between the new patch and the existing road will prevent snow melt from seeping into the asphalt and creating conditions for potholes to develop," said Harris.
The city must maintain more than 4,000 kilometres of paved road with a budget of $3.9 million. Last year an estimated 225,000 potholes were repaired.
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