Thawing And Refreezing Creates Hundreds Of Potholes On Oklahoma Roads

Saturday, January 20th 2007, 9:34 pm

By: News On 6

The winter weather has moved out of the area and the streets are clear, but pothole problems persist in the Tulsa area. News on 6 reporter Chris Wright has the latest on what the leftover snow and ice is doing to Green Country roads.

Tulsa drivers are already running into some nasty potholes, and as water on the roads continues to thaw and re-freeze each night, more potholes could pop up.

Drivers were greeted with an unwelcome surprise Saturday night on the west Leg of the IDL.

"We were just talking and we heard this bam bam, and both tires on that side, and Cala's like I think something's wrong," Tulsa resident April Bevries said.

A gaping pothole on the IDL was responsible for popping about a dozen tires. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol warned drivers to stay away from the area while they worked on fixing the problem.

In addition to the freeways, city streets also proved susceptible to potholes. They are already piling up on city streets like the ones at 41st and Peoria. Some drivers say they are already taking a toll on their cars.

"It's going to be a major problem, there must be some crews that have to come out here to fix the problem. I mean, it's tearing up my car and my dad's car, everybody's who is driving on this is going to be affected, it's going to be a serious issue," said Brad Buckmaster from Tulsa.

Potholes could become more of an issue as the freeze-thaw cycle continues. Snow and sleet melt during the day, then seep through cracks in the pavement. As temperatures dip below freezing overnight, the water becomes ice and expands, further cracking the pavement and causing the potholes.

On Peoria, Tulsa drivers quickly changed lanes to avoid those potholes; a defensive move some residents worry may create even more problems.

"Which is probably going to cause some wrecks, you would think right? I mean it's not a good situation out there," Buckmaster said.

Dan Crossland, who is in charge of city street maintenance in Tulsa, says many of his workers were given a well-deserved day off Sunday, their first since the ice storm, but they will be back out in full force Monday to work on those potholes.