are reminded either to use hands-free units when calling or safely
stop their vehicles and call.
Potholes are formed primarily due to infiltration of water into
pavements through cracks in the surface. Cold weather causes the water
to freeze, creating a bulge in the pavement. When the temperature
warms above freezing, the pavement surface returns to its original
level. Subsequent freeze-thaw cycles weaken the pavement material and
a pothole forms. The process repeats itself during subsequent
freeze-thaw cycles and potholes become worse and more numerous. Heavy
traffic also contributes to the creation of new potholes and the
worsening of existing ones.
NYSDOT and the Thruway Authority employ aggressive preventive
maintenance practices designed to seal pavements and prevent the
seepage of water. NYSDOT estimates these highly efficient, cost
effective practices save New York State more than $1 billion annually
in avoided highway rehabilitation projects.
To fill potholes during the winter, NYSDOT and the Thruway Authority
use high performance asphalt cold patch mixtures that are formulated
specifically for this purpose; more permanent pavement repairs are
made during the construction season. These cold patch mixes have been
tested and proven to be the most effective solution for winter pothole
patching by the National Research Council's Strategic Highway Research
Program, a comprehensive research effort directed by federal and state
Because NYSDOT and Authority maintenance crews periodically repair
highway damage throughout the State, motorists are asked to slow down
and pay special attention to work zones. Fines are doubled for
speeding in a work zone, and, in accordance with the Work Zone Safety
Act of 2005, convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work
zone could result in the suspension of the driver's license.""