TRAVERSE CITY -- Winter isn't over yet but the warm up this week is already giving us a clear preview of what will likely be a bad pothole season.
7&4's Kate Fox talked to the Grand Traverse County Road Commission Tuesday.
Road Commission Manager Mary Gillis says she has crews out right now, attempting patch up the worst potholes but she says the cold weather is making that tough because the repairs don't seem to stick.
The peak of spring is sunshine and the pit is potholes.
Grand Traverse Road Commission Manger Mary Gillis says, "We have crews out there right now, we started seeing the potholes coming out a couple weeks ago."
Gillis says this is the beginning of pothole season and her crews are out patching.
Grand Traverse County Road Commission Maintenance Supervisor Jim Valade says, "In the wintertime we use a material called cold patch…it's a gooey substance once it's heated were able to use it."
Gillis says, "We try to do it efficiently and get all the ones in one location however they pop up over night so it's going to be a challenge.
She says the recent freezing and thawing cycles means more potholes.
Gillis explains, "The water gets into the base of the road or through a crack and when it freezes the ice expands and pushes it out and when it melts everything's lose and pops out of that hole, it's created a hole."
These are holes that we end up throwing money into. Owner of Good News Automotive Michael Cook says potholes are good news for business but can cause some serious damage.
Cook says, "The biggest one is just tires bent wheels, blown tires things like that from hitting the edge of the pot hole, the tire is the first part that absorbs all the damage from there it goes into the suspension components you can bend the control arms things like that you can just throw the vehicle out of alignment."
Cook says to avoid serious damage maker sure you have full tires. Gillis asks that you contact the road commission to report problem potholes and in the mean time Gillis says, "Be patient, and once you know where they are, your going to be reminded everyday till we fix it but just remember, if you can and try to avoid them-- although don't swerve to avoid them that creates a whole other problem."
You can report a pothole to the Grand Traverse Road Commission.
For their contact information CLICK HERE.
