Last week’s subzero temperatures followed by the quick thaw created some unique problems for road crews in the area.
First off, subzero temperatures are dangerous for road crews. And they can make it difficult to keep diesel trucks running. And traditional road salts stops working below a certain temperature.
And when it’s not snowing, the freeze thaw means crews have more potholes to patch.
“As soon as it stops snowing and it’s clear, even if it’s below freezing, the guys are out patching," said South Bend Public Works Director Eric Horvath. "It gets to a point, you know, some of that really awful cold weather we had, they just can’t because it’s not effective but otherwise they’ll be out. They’ll get caught up.”
Horvath says crews patched nearly 22,000 potholes in South Bend last year.
Once it gets warm enough this spring, crews will start work on resurfacing and more permanent fixes to road problems. Though South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg says there’s only so much the city can do without additional funding.