Indiana officials plan temporary fix for potholes

SOUTH BEND, Ind.-- Pothole season is here.

That almost 100 degree jump from cold to warmer temperatures is a recipe for the problem, and city and state crews are jumping into action with temporary fixes.

"So we have this cold mix we use, it’s a very temporary kind of thing, said Indiana Department of Transportation Media Relations Director, Adam Parkhouse. "That extreme shift from historic cold to now we’re somewhere in the 50’s. Potholes really thrive in that scenario.”

Crews tell ABC 57, that cold mix is a mix of tar, oil and rocks—similar to what’s in the hot asphalt mix, however, the temporary cold mix doesn’t harden or seal the same way as hot asphalt. It's only set to cover potholes for roughly 30 days.

“As we know about them, we’ll come out and fill them with that cold mix. Again, it’s just a temporary solution until that hot mix is available. The thing is that it doesn’t bind together as well as that hot mix will. Which is why we need to monitor and make sure it’s staying in place," said Parkhouse.

While city and state crews respond to any holes and cracks they see, they say they need the community's help to track them all down.

“It takes a village right? To take care of the pothole problem. We’re a little bit reliant even on the public. So, if you are out there and you see a pothole you want to alert us to, and think ‘hey maybe somebody already called on that,’ we encourage you go ahead and let us know," said Parkhouse.

To report a pothole, call the following numbers based on the road's jurisdiction:

City of South Bend: (574)-233-0311

INDOT: 855-INDOT4U (463-6848)

Indiana Toll Road Commission: (574)-675-4010