GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – With the extreme heat, the state department of transportation says that road conditions are starting to suffer.
The big concern is road buckles.
That’s where the heat causes plates in the road to push up against one another and creates rises in the road.
For example:
“Kind of like if you used the knuckles of both of your hands and push against hard enough,” explains Mark Kantola with WisDOT. “One of the knuckles kind of pops up.”
According to him, this hot and humid week is causing roads all over the region to do exactly that.
“Well just in Northeast Wisconsin the last couple days we’ve seen about a dozen pavement buckles and quite a few smaller ones,” says Kantola.
That includes one on US 41 in Suamico that forced traffic down to one lane.
“That one ended up causing significant traffic problems through rush hour, while county crews had to fix that buckle,” he explains.
While it might seem like more of an inconvenience, officials say it can be potentially deadly when paired with highway speeds.
If you notice road deterioration or a pavement buckle, don’t drive by and let it go unreported.
“Treat it as a dangerous situation,” says Kantola. “Call 9-1-1. tell them there’s chewed up pavement or a pavement buckle, tell them where it’s at.”
And with the summer beating that roads are taking, it puts the emphasis on motorists to remain hyper-aware of their surroundings.
First of all, on the road to avoid any hazards.
“Best advice for drivers is [to] keep your eyes on the road and in front of you,” he explains. “Be alert of any problems.”
Also, Kantola reminds motorists that because of the issues, there will most likely be an increase in the number of road repair personnel out and about.
As always, it’s imperative for drivers to stay cautious while crews are working and stay a safe distance away from those individuals.
