KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Potholes are a common issue in Kalamazoo, particularly during the winter and early spring months.
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Their formation is primarily due to the freeze-thaw cycle, which involves several stages:
- Cracking of the road surface: Over time, traffic stress and environmental factors cause small cracks to develop in the asphalt.
- Water infiltration: Rain or melting snow seeps into these cracks, reaching the layers beneath the pavement.
- Freezing and expansion: When temperatures drop, the trapped water freezes and expands, exerting pressure on the surrounding asphalt and creating voids beneath the surface.
- Thawing and weakening: As temperatures rise, the ice melts, leaving behind gaps and weakening the pavement structure.
- Traffic-induced collapse: The weight of vehicles passing over these weakened spots causes the asphalt to break apart, forming potholes.
This cycle can repeat multiple times during the season, leading to the rapid deterioration of road surfaces.
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In Kalamazoo, the combination of cold winters and fluctuating temperatures makes roads particularly susceptible to pothole formation.
To mitigate this issue, residents are encouraged to report potholes to local authorities for timely repairs…