Now that most of the snow has melted, drivers are dealing with an annoying obstacle left behind – countless potholes.
The potholes in Squamish seem to be bigger and more frequent this year. Anyone who drives has likely dodged more than a few this year.
But we need to be patient.
Some places are worse than others – like around Victoria Street and Third Avenue downtown last month and now more on Cleveland Avenue near the train tracks.
Driving south and turning right into downtown Squamish, have you seen the large potholes in the turn-off lane?
Some potholes are large enough to see at a distance, but it’s not always possible to maneuvrer around them. Fists clenched around the steering wheel, often we’re forced to drive over them, hoping for no vehicle damage.
These nuisances are formed when water seeps through a road’s asphalt surface and temperatures drop, causing the water to freeze and expand, which creates cracks.
And due to Squamish’s typical climate, it will likely be a while before they’re all fixed. Let us explain.
It’s likely only a Band-Aid solution if you see crews working on covering a pothole in the rain. Patch kits, which create grey sections on the road, are used until the weather dries up. Usually only the largest potholes are filled like this because they pose a risk to driving safety.
The smaller potholes, which can be equally annoying to drivers, will have to wait until Squamish sees a few sunny days in a row.
“The majority of potholes need to be addressed with asphalt, and this can’t happen until the roads dry out, otherwise it’s difficult to do proper patching as water will still get underneath,” Christina Moore, spokesperson for the District of Squamish, told The Chief.
Each year, the District sets a budget of $75,000 to $100,000 for repairs. Potholes on the highway are the responsibility of the provincial government, which has contracted Miller Capilano for maintenance and repairs.
Right now, crews are looking at the largest potholes in Squamish – the kind that can cause flat tires and cars to possibly swerve into the other lane. Their night shifts have ended, so the problem areas will be addressed during the day.
Until the rain ceases for a bit, try to be patient while also being vigilant. If we get some sun, hopefully it will be smooth driving by the summer.
To report a pothole, call the District of Squamish at 604-815-4040.
