Potholes
Q: Okay, I know how potholes form, but why does Michigan, in particular, seem to have such a constant problem with them.
A: There are several reasons. The primary reason is that many roads in Michigan simply have exceeded their life expectancy. Roads are basically built the same in Michigan as they are elsewhere, but because of years of inadequate funding for roads, they have been allowed to deteriorate further than in states which raise more money for roads. As you probably know, Michigan now has more money available for roads, as was evidenced by the higher level of construction Wayne County and other road agencies put forth in 1998. Still, it will take time to fix all the roads.
The second reason Michigan's pothole seasons tend to be worse that some other states is the number of freeze-thaw cycles we experience, especially in lower Michigan. While extremely cold states like North Dakota may stay below freezing for much of the winter, many areas of Michigan experience dozens of freeze-thaw cycles, each of which weaken an older pavement. Many areas of Michigan also have a lot of clay in their soil, which results in poor drainage. This causes more moisture to hold under our roads, creating a more unstable base.
The third factor is vehicle weight. Currently, Michigan law allows the heaviest trucks in the nations on its roads - 164,000 pounds - which is twice most other states. Wayne County road officials favor lowering truck weight limits, possibly over a period of time, as to not hinder the state's trucking industry. Any changes must be made by the Michigan Legislature and signed by the Governor.
Q: I know some roads are county roads, some are state roads maintained by the county and others are city maintained. How do I know whom to call when I want to report a whopper of a pothole?
A: Wayne County has taken the guess work out of it for you. For any HAZARDOUS pothole, anywhere in Wayne County, you can call us at 1-888-ROAD CREW. You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If it's ours, we'll get right on it and create a record in our complaint database. If it happens to be on a city-operated road, for example, we'll take the complaint just as if it were our road, and then we'll fax the information to our contact in that local DPW yard. How's that for simple? All we ask in return is that you reserve your calls for potentially hazardous conditions. This may mean a huge pothole, but it also may mean malfunctioning traffic signals, flooded roads or any other potential hazard.
To receive a free copy of a Wayne County jurisdictional map, which illustrates the various road jurisdictions, click here to send us your home US Mail address (limit one per request - not available via e-mail).
Q: What is that stuff you use to fill potholes?
A: It's called cold patch, which is a mix of crushed limestone and tar. It ain't pretty but it's the most reliable and cost effective material anyone has come up with to serve as a temporary fix. And Wayne County is very particular about its patching materials. Just recently, several tons of cold patch were rejected by the County because it did not meet the County's specifications.
Some road agencies have experimented with pothole patching vehicles which clean out a pothole, spray in a tar for adherence then roll in hot asphalt. When the machine works properly it can be very effective and leaves a more durable patch. The problems is that many agencies have experienced a lot of mechanical problems with these machines. In addition, they are comparatively slow, and with potholes emerging in various spots all across the county, the first consideration has to be filling the holes as fast as we can, so you don't have to worry about your car being damaged. Wayne County continues to study new materials and machines that will improve our patching operations.
Q: Patching potholes is fine, but they are only a temporary fix. What is Wayne County doing to fix roads so they don't form potholes?
A: Wayne County is in the midst of its largest road resurfacing and rebuilding program ever. In addition to some new money the County is receiving through the gas tax increase and the new federal road funding legislation, Wayne County has supplemented its road construction budget by $60 million over three years. By issuing bonds for road improvements the County will improve nearly twice as many roads this year as it does in an average year.
Over the past 10 years, Wayne County has increase its miles of roads rated in "very good" condition from only 90 miles in 1988 to more than 240 miles in 1998. Meanwhile, our "very poor" roads, which have the most potholes have been reduced from 125 miles ten years ago to only 25 miles today. Currently, 75 percent of Wayne County's 720-mile primary road system is in fair to very good condition. In the next few years, the County expects to have only 10 percent of its roads in poor condition and reduced the number of potholes it must fill each year by two-thirds.
In addition to major road repairs, The County's use of this bond money has made it possible for road workers to do a better job of preventative maintenance. In 1998 alone, more than 100 miles of roads rated in "good" or "fair" condition had cracks filled and sections of pavement replaced to delay the onset of potholes for several years. The County will undertake a similarly ambitious "SuperMaintenance" program in 1999.
Q: Why does a patching crew on the freeway, for example, require as many as four vehicles? Seems like an awful lot.
A: There are three reasons for this: Safety, safety and safety. It is extremely important that a safe zone be created for the individuals who are standing in the road filling potholes. To give motorists plenty of notice, at least two trucks with flashing arrows will warn motorists to move out of the lane that is being patched. (Imagine standing in the fast lane of I-94 with 80-ton trucks rumbling by you at 65 miles and hour and you'll start to get a pretty good idea of what it's like on a pothole patching crew.
Patching crews on surface roads generally consists of one truck to carry the patching material, followed by one more to create the safe zone. When you are passing a patching crew, please make sure you have passed all the County vehicles before you re-enter the lane.
Q: What about gravel roads? This is a bad time of year for them, too.
A: Absolutely. In addition to its 720 miles of paved primary roads, Wayne County has more than 400 miles of unpaved roads, most of them residential streets in townships. Instead of potholes, however, gravel roads either form ruts that need to be smoothed out with a grader, or turn to a slippery mud if temperatures stay above freezing. When that happens, the County will add new gravel to the roads to firm them up and come back and grade them when they dry out.
Q: What happens if my car is damaged by a pothole? Will the County reimburse me for the damages.
A: To be honest, not a lot of pothole claims are paid out by any road agency. Here's why: Since potholes are an unfortunate, and unpredictable, fact of life in snow belt states like Michigan, it has to be demonstrated that the County, or any other road agency, had knowledge of a particular damage-causing pothole for some time and did not respond. If, for example, you happen to be behind a large truck that causes a large pothole, which you run into, there is no way the local road agency could have done anything to avoid that, and therefore, cannot be considered negligent. If, however, you would like to file a claim, call Wayne County's Risk Management office at (313) 224-5180.
Damages that have better odds of being reimbursed included ones that are incurred as a direct result of County workers or equipment. For example, if your are driving down a freeway while crews are mowing the grass slope and a rock gets thrown from the mower, cracking your windshield. In such an instance, make sure you note the date, time , exact location and any other important information, such as a County vehicle number. This will help in the County's investigation to determine whether the claim is valid. You also will need and estimate for repairs or an actual repair bill.
Click below for a list of Wayne County Maintenance Yards and the communities that each one serves.