WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. – Potholes are back -- and so are drivers’ questions: Why is that road getting fixed and not mine?
Local 4 rode along with crews in Wayne County to see how patching works -- and how the county prioritizes which roads get addressed first.
Wayne County Division Director of Roads Maintenance Steve Shaya says crews have multiple teams out every day patching potholes to keep up with this year’s freeze-thaw cycles.
Cold patch vs. hot mix: Why repairs don’t last right now
Shaya says crews use two different materials depending on conditions:
- Cold patch (cold mix): Used in winter because it works better in cold conditions and with moisture in the ground. It’s a temporary fix.
- Hot asphalt mix: A more durable repair, but crews can’t use it on wet surfaces and when it’s cold outside.
Shaya says this time of year, pothole patching is essentially a “band-aid” until temperatures stay warm enough for hot mix. Asphalt plants typically open around mid-April, allowing crews to shift into longer-lasting repairs.
How Wayne County prioritizes which potholes get fixed first
Shaya says crews prioritize based on:
- Safety
- Traffic volume
- Severity of the complaint
Wayne County says if a pothole is considered an emergency, it requires an immediate response. Otherwise, the county says it has 48 hours to respond to a complaint.
Gravel roads are a different challenge -- especially before the thaw
Wayne County maintains about 248 miles of gravel roads, and the county says those routes can become especially difficult to manage until the subgrade fully thaws.
Local 4 has highlighted gravel-road issues in several communities, including Sumpter and Huron Township. Sumpter Township even declared a public safety emergency over dangerous gravel-road conditions last month.
Shaya says crews have been going “full blast” using graders and adding stone to make roads more passable, but there are limits before the thaw:
- Crews can’t cut the subgrade yet because of moisture and freeze-thaw action.
- If they try to do too much too soon, the road can turn into a mud pit.
Once the ground thaws, Shaya says the county can:
- Reshape the grade with graders
- Add and roll stone
- Apply chemicals to help with dust control and bonding
How to report a pothole -- and why it matters
Wayne County says reporting is key: If crews don’t know about a pothole, they can’t schedule a repair.
Residents can report issues through the county’s 24/7 call center at 1-888-ROAD CREW (1-888-762-3273). County staff log complaints and create service request orders, which are then distributed to district managers. Those managers compile and prioritize lists for crews.
Prior pothole coverage:
- Why Metro Detroit subdivision roads are so expensive to fix; and what it takes to get yours repaved