GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Feb. 22, 2014) — It’s a problem for drivers across west Michigan and it’s causing damage to many vehicles.
Drivers have been attempting to avoid hitting as many pot holes as they can.
Alfredo Nunez runs a plow business in his free time, and said that pot holes create a bumpy ride.
“It’s be like driving on a dirt road,” said Nunez.
Nunez said that he’ll stay attentive behind the wheel so he doesn’t have to make any costly repairs.
“They try to avoid the pot holes, and I mean you might hit somebody else coming the other way,” said Nunez.
Jerry Byrne with the Kent County Road Commission said that his crews are already making pot holes a priority.
“We did fill some pot holes. Most of the crews were on snow removal, but some crews were out today filling the worst pot holes in the county,” said Byrne.
Byrne said that there is four feet of frozen ground underneath the concrete roads, so even when pot holes are filled, it won’t last long.
“They are temporary fixes. It’s frustrating for the motorist. It’s frustrating for our crews because we are spending a lot of money doing it, but we have to do it. You can’t just wait until spring,” said Byrne.
Byrne also said that drivers need to be patient while crews attempt to fill the pot holes, and to drive as careful as they can to avoid any damage to their vehicles.
“It really just started, but it’s going to be worse than normal. Plus, all the melt continues to saturate that road bed and making it soft. So, it’s going to get worse before it gets better, and it’s going to be a bumper crop,” said Byrne.
