Yesterday, there was a rather unusual weather front that passed through NJ... ahead of some heavy downpours of rain, the temps soared into the mid 70s. Today. we're back down to the normal-for-February 30s.
Roads hate that more than people.
So it was with no surprise that I heard on the traffic report on my way to work that the pothole crews were out and about on I-80, in the 7 mile area just before my exit to the office. This same stretch of highway has pothole crews on it so often, they should just leave them there all year. So as I approached the announced area, I heard the familiar sound of loose asphalt bits kicking up from tires.
The older the road, the more it's affected by the freeze-thaw cycle. Most brand new or fully-reconstructed highways are made of state of the art materials that are far less susceptible to potholes, but if you regularly travel older roads, you may as well book an appointment with the nearest suspension shop now.
The Salt Institute has a good explanation of how potholes form (and why) in this document.
Around here, this will last well into April. Every year.
Woke up to this scene this morning.
For those of you in the winter climates, be sure to check my CarSpace Guide regarding the proper way to get all that white stuff from your vehicle.
One benefit to living out here in the mountains is that the local crews really know how to plow snow... otherwise no one would get anywhere (especially emergency vehicles). Main road through town was simply wet, despite the 4 inches of fluffy water.
Fall lasted all of about 2 weeks here. The leaves were a little late in changing color, but then they came down in a hurry. Hopefully this won't be a preview of a long, cold, snowy winter... buyt then again, that's why I have the truck.
And for the record, I am standing level... my street is that angled from the local terrain.
