TRANSPORTATION MATTERS for IOWA

Iowa DOT crews travel our state’s highways regularly, but we can’t be everywhere all the time. That’s where you come in. If you see a pothole on an interstate or state highway, let us know on Facebook www.facebook.com/iowadot or Twitter www.twitter.com/iowadot using the hashtag #IAFillUsIn. Be sure to provide specific location information so we can find the pothole in question. For potholes on streets or county roadways, contact the local city administrator /engineer or county engineer.

Pothole 101
Potholes are mostly caused by moisture getting into or underneath pavement. During the late winter/early spring freeze and thaw periods, moisture causes the asphalt or concrete material to shift, buckle, or fracture. Vehicles traveling over these weakened areas dislodge the pavement material, leaving those dreaded potholes. Potholes can also occur on previously patched pavements where friction from activities such as snow removal dislodges the old patches.

In a typical year, the Iowa DOT spends approximately $4 million on repairing pot holes. When the weather is cooler, the repairs are sometimes temporary until more permanent warm-weather patching materials can be used.

So whether you see a crew out patching a pothole or doing other work this construction season, use caution whenever you see flashing lights and always move over or slow down for your family, friends, and neighbors working to keep you safer on Iowa’s highways.

For questions specific to your geographic area, contact:

• Central Iowa (Ames) – Lance Starbuck, 515-239-1634 or [email protected]
• North central and northeast Iowa (Mason City) – Randy Taylor, 641-423-8516 or [email protected]
• Northwest Iowa (Sioux City) – Todd Huju, 712-274-5825 or [email protected]
• Southwest Iowa (Atlantic) – Jim Bane, 712-243-7623 or [email protected]
• Southeast Iowa (Fairfield) – Jeff Owen, 641-472-6142 or [email protected]
• East central Iowa (Cedar Rapids) – Jeff Tjaden, 319-365-3558 or [email protected]