CTV Winnipeg: ‘Sometimes a tire will blow out’: pothole claims on the rise in Manitoba
However, crews can only use the cold mix to fill potholes, which can’t provide a repair that lasts as long as the hot asphalt mix used in the summer.
“The asphalt plants are not open yet,” said Michael Cantor, manager of street maintenance for the City of Winnipeg. “ They’re waiting for the winter to end. There’s no really financial incentive to open those plants earlier for the amount that we’re using.”
But not all hope is lost.
University of Manitoba professor Ahmed Shalaby said it’s still possible for the city to have a relatively good pothole season.
“Optimistically we had a better than usual winter, milder temperatures less moisture we can expect better performance from our pavements,” he said.
Shalaby said, however, that it all depends on the weather in the coming weeks, saying too many freeze-thaw cycles will result in more potholes being formed.