SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Department of Public Works has already been working on pothole repair.
This pothole on Congamond Road is one of many potholes that has emerged in town this winter. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
“This is the time of the year when it becomes really bad,” said DPW Director Randy Brown. “It’s all weather dependent, some years aren’t as bad as others.”
Brown attributes the consecutive warmer days followed by colder nights as a main cause of deeper potholes appearing. Some of the neighborhoods having larger potholes that have needed repair lately include Hillside Road, Congamond Road, and Tannery Road.
When fixing the potholes, the DPW uses a cold-patch mixture, which is a temporary fix.
“If you get a lot of rain, it tends to wash it (cold patch) out,” said Brown.
Unfortunately, Brown added that there aren’t any asphalt plants in the area that are making hot patch mix at this time of the year. Hot patch mix is a much more permanent fix to potholes.
The DPW is anticipating that the weather will become more consistent in order to limit the number of potholes from appearing and allowing them the ability to fix the ones already appearing
“I’d rather see it stay warm or stay cold,” said Brown.
Although the DPW is very active with potholes throughout the winter, repairing potholes is always a year-round task. Drivers are asked to contact the Southwick DPW at 413-569-3040 or 413-569-6772 to report dangerous roadway conditions.
