Potholes usually appear on Okanagan roads near the end of winter, however, fluctuating temperatures have caused potholes to form earlier than in previous years.
According to the City of Penticton, potholes form when moisture seeps into the ground, freezes, expands, and then thaws, resulting in weakened pavement. The traffic then causes further damage to the area.
The city says crews actively worked to refill potholes with a temporary solution during the winter. However, most potholes cannot be fixed with hot mix asphalt until spring.
Smooth roads, potholes are posing a challenge for Vernon city, BC workers
Vancouver Canucks fan favorite Wayne ‘Gino’ Odjic passes away at 52
Back in March of 2022, the city put out a service announcement reminding drivers of the upcoming pothole repair season.
“Street repairs will take place on a priority basis, focusing on high-traffic routes first and side streets and residential neighborhoods second,” read the city’s announcement.
However, the announcement does not mention what to do if your vehicle gets damaged by a pothole.
According to the Municipal Act, potholes have to be of a certain size for the city to be held liable for any damage.
In the meantime, potholes and other road maintenance issues can be reported directly to the city through the City of Penticton’s website.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.