Brandon, MB – The City of Brandon’s Streets & Roads Section would like to remind the motoring public that they play an important role in helping crews stay on top of patching potholes popping up on City roadways during the spring freeze-thaw cycle.
Presently, one Streets and Roads crew is focusing on patching early-season potholes with a temporary winter asphalt and tar mixture, with additional staff to be added to the City’s “pothole patrol” in the coming weeks. Motorists are urged to drive with care and caution around crews as they conduct this work on City streets through the season. Once more consistently warm temperatures arrive, crews can begin using the City’s in-house asphalt reclaimer and asphalt pre-mix heater to patch potholes more permanently with hot mix. Later in the spring, the Public Works Department will be able to secure a commercial supply of hot mix asphalt.
Motorists are encouraged to help crews out where possible and report problem potholes by calling the City of Brandon’s 24-hour Pothole Hotline at 204-729-2200. While the phone line is monitored for issues to be addressed, calls are not returned. Residents can also alert Street & Roads staff to problem potholes by submitting an online report on the City’s website by following this link: http://www.brandon.ca/report-an-issue.
The City of Brandon reminds its residents that a number of roads within City limits, including Victoria Avenue, Richmond Avenue, First Street, and 18th Street (including the bridges), are under the jurisdiction of the Province of Manitoba and, therefore, do not fall within the City of Brandon’s pothole patching program. Residents wishing to report a pothole or unsafe driving condition on a Provincial roadway can call 1-866-MANITOBA (1-866-626-4862). Residents should also note that the City of Brandon’s pothole patching program does not apply to the aprons (sloped approaches) leading into private driveways, nor does it apply to the accesses/approaches or parking lots of private businesses.
Finally, the City of Brandon cautions all motorists that you should never swerve to avoid a pothole in your path! Drivers are advised to reduce their speed when approaching a pothole, but don’t brake when driving over the pothole as this can cause more damage. More pothole navigation pointers can be found by visiting the Manitoba Public Insurance website’s pothole page here: http://www.mpi.mb.ca/en/Rd-Safety/Tips/60-Sec-Driver/Pages/Potholes.aspx.
