“Four trucks and eight staff members were assigned to strictly address potholes during the three-day period [Jan. 22-24]… During this time, all major arterials throughout the city were treated by crews, who placed more than 21.5 tons of asphalt,” states a news release from the city of Lancaster.
“For comparison purposes, this amount of asphalt equates to repairing over 1,860 potholes. While all recognizable street failures were repaired, a pothole is typically considered to be an asphalt failure large enough to encompass a passenger vehicle tire,” the news release states.
The city’s street maintenance team typically dedicates about 225 hours per month in the winter toward pothole repair. Last week’s effort resulted in the equivalent of one month of routine pothole repair being completed over a three-day period, according to the news release.
Although Lancaster has an ongoing program to inspect and repair potholes, the concentrated effort was initiated to proactive prevent further street damage after recent rains.
Potholes occur when weakened asphalt is eroded by car tires, which progressively exposes and weakens more and more asphalt, eventually developing into a pothole. The causes of weak asphalt include:
- Traffic: Increased flow and heavy vehicles stress the road and cause cracks and fissures.
- Water: The cracks in the road allow water to penetrate, thus contributing to erosion.
- Age: Old pavement is less structurally sound and more susceptible to traffic and water damage.
Previous related story: Lancaster conducting pothole repairs this week
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Steve says
How about using the roundabout money and bicycle lane money and concentrate on repaving every road in the city. It’s a shame how bad the roads are getting. The city needs to get its priorities in order.
Voters are fools says
So we were conned into voting for taxes for gas and registration to fill f****** potholes what a complete joke of Jerry Brown now we got another clown in office
Just Saying says
Driving in Lancaster feels like off roading. That black coating does nothing. It’s a scam.
Public Works says
There is going to be even more pothole repairs after this week’s storms.
RF says
“During this time, all major arterials throughout the city were treated by crews”……. Except Ave K.
Alexis says
I noticed the difference when I visited Lancaster to have lunch with a friend at Sizzler. I also noticed the widening of the road on 20th street west, and also on Ave L and 10th.