The City of Saskatoon is using new technology to extend the season for pothole repairs.
“This new equipment will allow us to address issues in high-traffic roads before they become a major hazard,” said Brandon Harris, Director of Roadways and Operations for the City.
The new infrared thermal equipment will be used to permanently repair potholes in temperatures as cold as -10 degrees Celsius. The pothole patcher is a propane-fueled heating system that uses a heated metal plate to soften existing asphalt. Recycled asphalt is then mixed in to help fill the hole, resulting in a smooth, seamless roadway.
“It’s a lot like a clothing iron,” says Harris. “It heats everything up around the pothole. It gets up to 150 degrees Celsius, and then we add the new asphalt and oil, pack it, and then seal it up.”
Harris says it may cost more to patch each pothole, due to the extra time spent heating the road up before the fix. However, he believes they’ll save money in the long haul, as this new fix should hold up longer, resulting in less trips being need to repair the same holes over and over.
“It’s something we’ll be keeping an eye on, obviously. It is a pilot project, but we have high hopes for it. It’s worked in other markets, so we’re optimistic.”
Since 2014, additional funding has been invested in building better roads with the Road Levy, including 61 million dollars in 2017. In 2016, an estimated 250,000 potholes were repaired.
