Springtime in Montana — a time for snowmelt, warmer weather, and, of course, potholes.
“The sun’s higher in the air, the pavement is getting warmer and sits there and melts everything and goes down in that crack. At night it freezes, expands, and starts breaking up the asphalt.” Bozeman Street Superintendent John Vandelinder said.
Though roads are drier, drivers still have to use caution.
“Slow down and safely try to avoid it. If there’s water in it and you hit that, you’re going to displace which is going to push out some of the base material and the hole is going to keep getting bigger. Please drive around and still stay in your lane and go around it when it’s safe to do so,” Vandelinder said.
There are areas with many potholes throughout Bozeman where you need to keep your wits about you while driving.
“We’re surprised to see it on Highland, Kagy, and some of these roads, and some of these roads next summer are getting some treatment, either some chip seal or overlay, but right now the small cracks are letting moisture in and that’s what’s causing the potholes,” Vandelinder said.
There’s is a way to report potholes to get them filled.
“At theBozeman.net website, there’s a place to report a pothole. As well we have a pothole line at 582-3208, and you can just give us the location and we’ll be there,” Vandelinder said.
You will need to report potholes to Gallatin County if the potholes are on county rather than city roads.
