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1. What is a pothole?

Potholes are very common, particularly in New England, and are virtually impossible to prevent. Although most commonly associated with cold weather, potholes can also form in warm climates. A roadway pothole is a deterioration of an asphalt surface caused by the presence of water in the underlying soil structure and the presence of traffic passing over the affected area. Introduction of water to the underlying soil structure first weakens the supporting soil. Traffic then fatigues and breaks the poorly supported asphalt surface in the affected area. Continued traffic action ejects both asphalt and the underlying soil material to create a hole in the pavement.

2. How potholes are formed?

In winter, potholes occur when snow and ice melt as part of the freeze-thaw cycles in the harsh New England climate. The resulting water then seeps beneath the pavement through cracks caused by the wear and tear of traffic. As the temperatures cool to freezing at night, the water becomes ice and expands below the pavement, forcing the pavement to rise. As the weight of traffic continues to pound on this raised section – and the temperatures once again rise above freezing – a shallow divot occurs under the surface and the pavement breaks, forming a pothole.

3. How is a pothole fixed?

A pothole is typically fixed by cleaning out the loose debris and filling it with hot and cold asphalt patch.

4. What is “Cold Patch”?

“Cold patch”, or cold asphalt, is the temporary remedy to fix potholes during cold weather. The Town uses it throughout the island on asphalt surfaces only during the winter months. Cold patch is a polymer technology that is soft and sticky out of the bag, but quickly hardens after application. The end result is a temporary pavement patch with good adhering properties, but only useful during the winter when hot asphalt is not available.

Cold patch is also very expensive. It costs approximately $200/ton and it also has constraints: 1) it requires special handling, 2) needs to be kept covered, 3) it must be stored under cover to retain its adhesive properties, and 4) it tends to leak oils at certain temperatures. As a result, the Town does not “just cold patch everything" but rather applies this solution where and when appropriate.

5. Does the Town have a “Pothole Fixer”?

Yes, the Town does have an infrared heater “pothole fixer” but it cannot be used in cold, inclement weather. The "pothole fixer" is an infrared machine that heats up existing asphalt to loosen it up and reuse in place to patch. That machine is not meant to be used in wintry weather.

A pothole fixer is a specialized massive infrared panel that is lowered onto the street; it heats the asphalt around the pothole prior to filling it, ensuring that the new material bonds strongly to the surrounding road, preventing repeated repairs.

6. When will the potholes be fixed?

Like most towns in the State, Nantucket has a spring pothole repair program because of the beating that the roads take during the winter. This is part of DPW’s regular seasonal maintenance program. Roadways cannot be permanently fixed in the middle of winter because asphalt cannot be placed unless the temperature is 45°F and rising and the pothole is clear of any standing water and debris. As a result, the most effective pothole repair programs start when we can be certain that temperatures will consistently stay above 45°F so that we can head out and patch non-stop. All of this is obviously weather dependent!

7. How do I report a pothole?

There are many ways citizens can get involved to report potholes, road debris and other safety issues:

1. Use the SeeClickFix mobile phone app, or
2. Call DPW at 508-228-7244 and a traceable work order will be created, or
3. Report via this website.

All of those options are great and DPW is taking notes as they drive around to make sure they know where potholes are, too.