Potholes are a recurring issue at the junction of Wilson Valley Road and State Highway 371 in Aguanga. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo
With the rains come the potholes. It seems that formerly pristine roadways are fast becoming minefields of tire-gripping, suspension-crushing pits of horrifying depths. What are these hazards and what can motorists do about them?
Potholes in wintertime are not just a northern climate phenomenon. Holes in asphalt and concrete can and do form in warmer climates. Rainwater and run-off drain into small cracks that form in the road from normal wear and tear and wash out the layers of stone, dirt or gravel that support the pavement. Over time, an air gap can form within the sub-base of the asphalt pavement and the top layer will begin to sag. From that point, it will collapse and crumble, which results in a pothole. In the higher elevations where temperatures can dip below freezing in the colde
