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Message from the Winter Operations Team
Spring has sprung in the Capital and the Roads and Parking Services team has continued their hard work applying temporary patches to potholes created by the various weather events, multiple freeze/thaw cycles and very wet conditions the city has experienced in recent weeks. This combination of changing weather patterns adds significant stress to our transportation network and wreaks havoc on our roads.
Filling potholes remains a priority for staff and last week, 166 crews were assigned to pothole repairs during both day and night shifts. This week, 184 crews have been deployed – all while juggling other winter/spring operational activities that are vital to ensuring our transportation network remains safe for all users.
Potholes-by-the-Numbers
- The total number of potholes repaired between January 1 and March 21, 2022 has now reached 42,398.
- The total number of potholes filled for the same period last year was 36,869 an increase of 5,529.
- The three-year average (2019-2021) of potholes filled for a full year is 222,571
- In Ottawa, the five-year average of freeze/thaw cycles over the winter season is 79. Freeze/thaw cycles are the leading cause for potholes, which thrive in these types of environments
Did you Know?
- Roads and Parking Services staff maintain approximately 6,000 kilometres of roads, or approximately 14,900 lane kilometres
- Depending on the weather and temperature, our staff work around the clock to clear and remove snow, open catch basins and ditches, repair potholes, mitigate drainage and localized flooding issues, and complete spring clean-up activities – just to name a few!
- The same crew responsible for spreading salt and/or grit during freezing conditions, are also opening up catch basins and ditches to support melting and water flow during thaws
- In Ottawa, the 5 year average of freeze/thaw cycles over the winter season is 79. Freeze/thaw cycles are the leading cause for potholes, which thrive in these types of environments
What’s Next?
With the rain that moved in yesterday, and that is expected to remain in the region through the balance of the week, our operations will shift to other maintenance activities. In wet conditions, we only send out crews to fill emergency potholes. Once the weather conditions improve, crews will be deployed to pothole repairs.
As we head into the rainy season, we would appreciate residents who are out, keeping an eye on their local catch basins and consider clearing them of leaves and debris. These efforts will help prevent flooding by allowing the rainwater to flow into our catch basins.
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