Vancouverites have reported hundreds of potholes after temperatures warmed up following an extreme deep freeze in the region.
Potholes are caused by regular freezing and thawing during seasonal changes and usually occur on older road surfaces, Amy Sidwell, Manager of Street Operations for the City of Vancouver, told 麻豆传媒映画.
And while temperatures plummeted drastically below the seasonal averages before the holidays -- temperatures felt as cold as -22 C with the wind chill -- the city received fewer service requests for pothole repairs this year over last.
This year, the city received 339 service requests in the 10 days following the extreme cold, while the 10 days following the extreme cold over the 2021/2022 holidays saw a staggering 646 requests, explained Sidwell.
Road safety is a key priority for the city and street operations crews have been working hard to repair the "growing number" of potholes.
Potholes situated on key arteries of the city are prioritized but "more extensive road damage from the freeze/thaw of pavement may require bigger repairs than a pothole repair," she noted.
"These are repaired once [the] weather improves."
How does the city repair potholes?
Potholes in 麻豆传媒映画are typically repaired by filling the pothole with hot asphalt, packing it down so that it's level with the road surface, and adding sand on top to prevent sticking, described Sidwell.
For more significant potholes or other damage, more complex repair techniques may be required.
Since potholes are a common winter hazard, drivers should try to avoid them while keeping road safety in mind. If it isn’t safe to avoid one, however, do not brake suddenly. Instead, lower your speed to reduce damage from the impact.
Have a look at some potholes locals spotted around Metro Vancouver.
鈿狅笍 REMINDER Eastbound center lane blocked on the for ongoing pothole repair. Watch for crews and drive carefully. Expect heavy delays and congestion.
— DriveBC (@DriveBC)
There's another pothole on the ironworkers memorial bridge in almost the exact same spot as last year's pothole.....
— AZURE馃嚚馃嚘馃嚞馃嚙馃嚠馃嚜 (@AZURE_CHIEF)
I think I'm going insane
Heads up to anyone traveling to Cypress Mountain. Massive pothole just before the parking lots on Cypress Bowl Road. Blew out my tire on NYE.
— Alex Camilleri (@Camilleri21)
Watch for the potholes heading west when you come off the new asphalt at Kennedy Hill roadworks. It’s criminal that this is not signed better. We almost blew a tire. It is so unexpected. Met a guy who did blow a tire and got a slow leak in a 2nd on-now stranded over holidays 馃く馃槨
— Jude Snaydon (@ThisIsPleasant)
Respectfully, what the hell is going on at the Second Narrows Bridge? What should be a 5 min commute from Westview to the bridge is now 25-30 due to incompetence from …this is how you fix a pothole? It’s a SPEED BUMP in the middle of the bridge
— Rosè (@Rossage88)
Stuck on Keith for over an hour!
— Naved H. Noorani (@navednoorani)
Pothole on Ironworkers bridge and everything grinds to a halt!!
Where are those politicians who extolled the value of rerouting traffic at Millions$? Build a damn bridge
While Vancouver's streets and roads are in the jurisdiction of the city and managed and maintained by our Street Operations branch within Engineering Services, bridges, and the Stanley Park Causeway are managed by the B.C. Ministry of Transportation.
Locals are advised to directly report the potholes in this area to Miller Capilano by calling 1.866.918.1010 ext 1.
Please report any potholes you see in 麻豆传媒映画at the Van311 app or by calling 311.
