Our crews are all over Minnesota this summer. Here are a few snapshots from folks in the field.
Chip sealcoating at Mystic Lake Casino
Finishing touches at Rosedale
Perfecting a University of MN parking lot
We’ll also be working on the Muller Theater parking lot for a blockbuster summer event!
Minnesota menace: Secrets of our pothole problem
Road crews dot the highways and streets during the summer. Although they add to frustrations and delays for drivers, they’re providing a crucial service: Saving our cars from shattering potholes! But why is Minnesota so prone to potholes in the first place? Here are a few clues.
- Extreme temperatures. The wide swings from below freezing to above 80 degrees in summer cause water to freeze and shift under pavement.
- Rain! Minnesota is known for snow, but we also get a lot more rain in the Spring than many places, creating soft, bog-like conditions.
- Unstable sub-soils. Minnesota is full of clay and swamp-land soils that erode from under roads and leave them weakened.
- Aging asphalt. Recent budget-tightening means asphalt is not being replaced as frequently.
Want to know more? Check out Anatomy of A Pothole prepared by Anoka County. And remember, give road crews a break and plenty of room. After all, they’re saving your shocks!
