Why Potholes Can’t Be Repaired in February in Lorain, Ohio
Lorain, Ohio, like much of the Midwest, experiences harsh winter conditions that make pothole repairs nearly impossible in February. Despite frustrated drivers dodging craters in the road, the reality is that cold temperatures, unpredictable weather, and material limitations prevent effective and long-lasting fixes.
Cold Weather Limits Asphalt Use
Pothole repairs typically rely on hot-mix asphalt, which requires high temperatures to remain workable and properly bond with the road surface. In February, when temperatures often hover well below freezing, the asphalt cools too quickly, preventing proper compaction and adhesion. This leads to temporary fixes that break apart soon after application.
Freeze-Thaw Cycles Make It Worse
Northeast Ohio experiences frequent freeze-thaw cycles, where daytime temperatures rise above freezing but drop below it at night. This process causes water to seep into cracks, freeze, and expand, worsening existing potholes and creating new ones. Even if patching were attempted, the ongoing freeze-thaw cycle would likely undo the repair within days.
Lori Garcia, Director of Lorain’s Public Property Department, highlighted the challenges posed by fluctuating temperatures: “A lot of it is the freeze and thaw. That will just annihilate your roads. And unfortunately, that’s what we’re getting all winter long.”
Garcia further emphasized the cyclical nature of the problem, noting that even after repairs, potholes often reemerge due to subsequent storms: “Those same potholes we filled this week are going to be open next week because of this weekend’s storm. And there’s nothing we can do about it.”
Citizen Frustration Over Potholes
Residents of Lorain have voiced their frustration over the deteriorating road conditions. Willie Perez, a local resident, humorously referred to a problematic section on Edgewood Drive as the ‘Dip of Edgewood,’ describing it as “like a moon crater.” He noted the frequent damage to vehicles, mentioning, “I see people hitting this dip and you see parts and hubcaps. I’ve been picking up hubcaps and throwing them away.”
Perez himself faced unexpected vehicle repairs due to these potholes: “I took it in for an oil change, and they said, ‘Hey, you need a front-end alignment and you even need shocks.’ And I’m like, ‘What?'”
Another resident took a creative approach to highlight the issue by placing a cheeky sign in a pothole on Tower Boulevard, which quickly drew the attention of city crews and led to the pothole being filled. Lori Garcia acknowledged the gesture, stating, “You could’ve just picked up the phone, but that’s OK. It was big.”
Additionally, a social media user voiced their concerns, stating, “Come on City Of Lorain!! You jacked up everyone’s property taxes but yet we still have pothole city roads. Fairless I travel daily and have to swerve to miss the holes.”
Mayor Bradley’s Approach to Pothole Issues
Mayor Jack Bradley has acknowledged the pothole problem and has taken steps to improve communication between residents and city officials. The city invested $35,000 in the SeeClickFix program, a software tool that enables residents to report problems like potholes via a mobile app or web portal.
Bradley emphasized the benefits of this initiative, stating, “I think we’ll at least be able to have a record of when a pothole or another situation is reported, and the citizen will get feedback when the problem is addressed.”
This initiative aims to enhance communication and ensure that reported issues are tracked and resolved more efficiently.
Limited Effectiveness of Cold Patch
While some emergency pothole repairs can be made with a temporary cold-patch asphalt mix, these solutions are not durable. Cold patch is designed for quick application and short-term relief, but it doesn’t bond as well as hot mix and is susceptible to being dislodged by traffic, plows, or additional freezing and thawing.
Snow and Ice Removal Takes Priority
In February, road crews are primarily focused on keeping streets passable by plowing snow and applying salt. Allocating resources to pothole repairs in the middle of winter isn’t practical when snow and ice control remain a constant concern. Additionally, plow blades often scrape away or damage temporary pothole patches, making repairs futile.
As of February 2025, Lorain has used approximately 4,500 tons of road salt since November, with about 3,000 tons remaining in reserve. The city also received a $55,000 grant to purchase two 1,200-gallon truck tanks with wireless controls, enhancing its salt application efficiency.
The Best Time for Repairs
Once temperatures stabilize in the spring and asphalt plants reopen, Lorain’s road crews can begin more effective and lasting pothole repairs. Until then, drivers must navigate the bumpy roads with caution and patience, knowing that a more permanent fix is on the way.
For now, the best thing residents can do is report potholes to local authorities so they can be addressed as soon as conditions allow. In the meantime, be prepared for a rough ride until spring brings the opportunity for real repairs.