Temperatures are rising again and with that City of Toronto crews are mobilizing for another pothole repair blitz this Saturday, March 16. The City expects to conduct additional weekend pothole repair blitzes through April.
Toronto has experienced several freeze-thaw cycles this winter, which have resulted in more potholes. City crews, who also handle snow removal and clearing, have already repaired more than 33,000 potholes in 2019.
Crews can repair from 4,000 to 6,000 potholes in a one-day blitz. During the last blitz, on February 23, crews repaired 5,826 potholes and used more than 109 tonnes of asphalt mix.
On a typical day, 25 crews repair potholes. During the blitz, more than 50 crews will work up to a 12-hour day to fill potholes across the city, including on the Don Valley Parkway and Gardiner Expressway. Motorists are advised to leave extra time and expect minor delays. The public is asked to be safe by respecting work zones and giving crews space while they work.
A few recent examples of how the City manages road surfaces include:
• re-decking of part of the elevated portion of the Gardiner Expressway in fall 2018. It was the first time the City had closed the Gardiner for an entire weekend since 2016. Video: https://youtu.be/sNBh4OREc8Q
• proactive daily repair and maintenance of potholes by patrolling crews, as well as response to 311 service requests from the public
• pothole blitzes, as required
• investment in new asphalt equipment to repair potholes (e.g. 18 new asphalt “hotboxes” were purchased for this season)
• ongoing reviews of materials used to fill potholes
• annual local and major road resurfacing projects, as part of the City’s road maintenance and resurfacing program
• ongoing review of the City’s approach to potholes and allocated resources (including maintenance and claims).
Potholes are created when water penetrates the top layer of asphalt through cracks in the road. When the moisture freezes and expands, sections of the pavement are forced up. The weight of vehicles going over this section of road breaks the pavement and the asphalt is forced out.
The City has a comprehensive road maintenance program and has budgeted approximately $182 million in 2019 for road repairs, rehabilitation and maintenance work, including between $4 million and $5 million to fix potholes. Each pothole costs about $25 to repair. Since 2015, the City has repaired an average of 224,440 potholes annually.
Road users and business owners can report potholes online at http://bit.ly/2E1wyUb or by calling 311, emailing 311@toronto.ca, or by using the 311 app available online.
Once crews are made aware of a pothole, it can usually be repaired within four days. When there are large numbers of potholes to be repaired, they are triaged based on size. Repairs are prioritized on major roads first.
Learn more about potholes in Toronto at http://bit.ly/2E1wyUb.
Toronto is Canada’s largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of more than 2.9 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world’s most livable cities. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cityoftoronto, on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cityofto.