MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - State transportation officials say the risk of pavement buckling will continue to be high at least through Friday.

Authorities said the 100 degree heat caused buckling Thursday on Interstate 39 in Columbia County, Highway 12 near Wisconsin Dells, and on a city street in West Bend.

The state DOT said there were 17 cases of pavement buckling on the 4th of July – and the repairs took an average of 2 to 3 hours apiece.

Experts say pavement expands during hot weather, and sections of pavement can burst if they push too hard against each other.

The DOT asks motorists to call 911 if they see buckled pavement. And motorists can check for buckling on the DOT’s Travel Information System by calling 511 or going online at 511.Gov.

The heat index reached 116 near Mauston Thursday, with actual temperatures above 100 as far north as Wisconsin Rapids.

More highs in the 90’s and 100’s are expected Friday before things cool off starting Friday night in northern Wisconsin and Saturday in the south.

It’s already bit cooler this morning in the far north. It got down to 54 degrees at Tomahawk at 6 a.m. – but in the south, it was 82 in Monroe, and 81 in Mineral Point.