Wednesday, April 30, 2014 (Halifax, NS) – The Halifax Regional Municipality wants residents to know that Municipal Operations crews are out from 8 a.m.

to 4 p.m. through the week, weather permitting, patching the potholes based on set priorities.

These municipal crews will continue patching through the spring and summer, and private patching crews contracted by HRM will also begin work on municipal streets in the coming weeks.

Potholes are formed by weather cycles such as snow, rain, freezing rain and freeze-thaw cycles, which cause road surfaces to expand and contract resulting in asphalt breaking up and potholes forming.

This past winter was particularly bad because of the repeated freeze-thaw cycles and the busy season for snow plows, which often inadvertently rip up crumbling asphalt and the temporary cold patching on the streets.

Since Jan. 1, crews have patched 6,614 potholes across the region and there are currently 1,755 potholes on the list for maintenance, for a total of 8,369. That number does not represent 8,369 unique locations, as many potholes have been filled multiple times throughout the year.

Priority will be placed on arterials and other streets with significant potholes. For more information on HRM’s service standards, please visit http://www.halifax.ca/municipalops/ServiceStandards/Potholes.html.

Pothole patching must be carried out in dry conditions. As such, these service standards may be affected by wet weather.

HRM asks that motorists and cyclists exercise caution and reduce their speed when travelling through road construction sites. Safety for all is HRM’s top priority.

Potholes are identified through road patrols and reports from residents. To report a pothole, please phone 311 or fill out an online service form at https://apps.halifax.ca/311.

Source: Release