Pothole repair in Kawartha Lakes
As the spring thaw approaches, roads become more fragile than at other times of the year. Under the weight of traffic and the varied seasonal temperatures, you will see more potholes appearing in weak spots on the roads. Above-average spring runoff and high water tables are also contributing factors to pothole formation as they allow more water to seep into the cracks and breaks during the spring season.
According to a press release, Kawartha Lakes’ Public Works staff provide road maintenance in accordance with the Council approved Level of Service Policy and the provincial Minimum Maintenance Standards (MMS) requirements. With respect to potholes, the municipality will commonly respond in accordance with MMS by patching the road. Patching is a temporary measure to improve safety and driving conditions until more permanent repairs (such as resurfacing) can occur.
Staff respond to repair potholes on a priority basis. Priority level is determined by the road classification (volume of traffic), the size of the pothole and resources available. When a pothole meets the physical requirements of MMS and requires repair, permitted response time can vary anywhere from four to thirty days, or longer, depending on the level of priority the repair meets.
When a pothole issue is reported, City staff take many factors into consideration when deciding how to respond, including how long the repair will take, the weather and current temperature, future planned works around road infrastructure and resources available.
If you see a pothole or would like to report an issue with a road, use the City’s online tool Report It here or call 705-324-9411. The more detail you can provide to us, the more efficiently municipal resources can resolve the concern.
Want to learn more information about roads in Kawartha Lakes? The municipality will be hosting an information session about municipal road infrastructure starting at 10 am on March 19. The presentation will be part of a Special Council Meeting and will be held in the Council Chambers located at City Hall, 26 Francis Street. All are welcome to attend.
