WEST VIRGINIA (LOOTPRESS) – With winter coming to an end and warmer weather approaching, the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) is preparing to tackle the state’s annual pothole problem.
In recent years, relatively mild winters allowed asphalt plants to open early, giving the WVDOH a head start on repairs.
However, this winter’s series of storms and persistent cold weather have delayed hot asphalt production.
“This has been the worst winter we’ve had in years,” said Transportation Secretary Todd Rumbaugh, P.E. “It’s perfect weather for potholes.”
During cold months, road crews use a temporary cold asphalt mix to patch the worst potholes until permanent repairs can be made.
Hot asphalt requires ground temperatures above 45 degrees Fahrenheit to properly cure.
“You can’t fill potholes when it’s cold, and you can’t fill them when it’s wet,” said John Crane, executive director of the Asphalt Pavement Association in Charleston.
Asphalt plants close during winter for maintenance, and the cold makes hot asphalt impractical.
While WVDOH has worked with plant owners in recent years to open early, lingering cold weather has kept most plants shut this season.
“This has been the worst winter we’ve had in a decade,” Crane said.
West Virginia has about three dozen asphalt plants, with only a few currently open.
More are expected to start operations in the coming weeks, and most should be running by the end of the month.
To make a permanent repair, crews first mill out a section around the pothole, clearing debris before applying a tack layer to help the hot asphalt bond to the road surface.
The asphalt is then poured in and flattened with a rolling machine.
A properly completed patch should last as long as the surrounding roadway and be smooth enough that drivers barely notice it.
“Our intention is to patch all our potholes as quickly as possible,” Rumbaugh said.
He urged drivers to remain cautious around work zones.
“Please be patient with us as we endeavor to patch these potholes,” he said. “Slow down and pay attention to work zones for the safety of you and our workers.”
