Patch as patch can: Frigid weather and overdue maintenance blamed for pothole purgatory

Published January 08, 2015

There's a bumper crop of potholes this winter — but engineers say it's not just the horrible weather.

Larry Galehouse of the National Center for Pavement Preservation primarily blames years of neglect and underfunding for the record numbers of craters. And he says until Americans agree to pay higher road taxes or shift priorities, it will be patch as patch can.

In New York City, crews have patched a record 136,476 potholes since January first — more than twice last year. Boston patched its 6,000th pothole this week, nearly triple the number in 2013.

Researchers around the globe are trying to find the best way to patch potholes. But Kevin Haas of the Oregon Department of Transportation says it's best to build better roads in the first place.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/us/patch-as-patch-can-frigid-weather-and-overdue-maintenance-blamed-for-pothole-purgatory