WESTFIELD – The city of Westfield is experimenting with new infrared technology for fixing potholes.
The new technology uses a 6′ by 8′ platform that is lowered from the back of a truck that then sits on the pavement and within a few minutes the asphalt is heated to a temperature that makes it pliable.
Once pliable, the area is worked with a rake and a small amount of new hot asphalt is added to the repair area, which helps create a bond between the new material and the older material that surrounds the new patch. Work crews would then smooth and level the entire area.
While it is more time-consuming per repair area than traditional hot or cold asphalt patching, this technology may offer more of a long-term repair in some of the more chronically impacted pothole areas. This method of heating a wider area than what the pothole creates offers a much better patch and a smoother travelling surface for drivers.
The equipment would cost the city between $60-80,000 but could eventually reduce pothole repair costs, as well as claims against the city for vehicle repairs.
The city has been experimenting with this equipment at various points but has not made any determinations whether to purchase it.
The DPW is also working to get their hot patch machine back in working order before the upcoming winter season. In order to properly use the hot patch machine they would need to buy the asphalt now, lay it all out, let it cure, cut it into brick sized pieces and store them so that they can be melted quickly once the winter pothole repair season is upon us.
