TDOT: Hundreds of Potholes on Interstate 40 After Ice Storm
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JACKSON, Tenn.- Officials with the Tennessee Department of Transportation are warning West Tennessee drivers to be cautious while driving on Interstate 40. Officials said this past weekend’s ice storm formed hundreds of potholes across the East and West bound lanes of throughout our area. “Really on the interstate from the Shelby County line to the Tennessee River there are just an enormous amount of potholes,” said Nichole Lawrence, TDOT Community Relations Officer. Officials said the potholes formed after rainfall froze inside of cracks in the highway and expanded the asphalt. “Once water or precipitation gets inside the asphalt and it’s cold and then it warms up a little ..it expands and just pops up different layers and levels of asphalt, creating the potholes,” said Lawrence. TDOT workers said some of the potholes are reportedly up to three inches deep. Each range greatly in diameter. “Well, we have a lot of different ones, we have potholes right along the center line…we have some smaller, basketball size and we have some larger probably the size of a car hood,” said Dale Aedn, TDOT Transportation Technician. “Just different sized potholes all up and down both sides of the interstate.” If the potholes are hit at high speeds, officials said the holes could cause car damage or in worst case scenarios, some drivers to lose control of their vehicle. “The potholes could throw you off if you hit one and you try to over correct it…. it could throw you out of the driving line,” said Aedn. “If you hit one dead on and it’s big enough, it can cause a little damage,” said Lawrence. “I would just stress for drivers to take it slow. If you have an alternate route possibly use it and just be careful.” TDOT officials said repairing all of the potholes on Interstate 40 could take several weeks because the weather conditions must be dry and well above freezing to successfully fill in the asphalt. Officials said drivers should be prepared to see several crews working in scattered, temporary interstate lane closures between Shelby County and the Tennessee River over the next several days. To avoid losing control and possibly wrecking, officials are asking drivers to slow down. If you see any large potholes do not slam on your brakes or swerve to avoid them. Instead they said you should slow down by letting off of your accelerator.
