Dylan Langille has become well-acquainted with the maneuvers necessary to avoid the potholes in Halifax. Langille shared with the Cost of Living, “I could probably navigate my way home with my eyes closed because these potholes have been around for so long.” He expressed frustration over the frequency of potholes, stating, “What are you supposed to do when there are potholes every 10 feet here?”
As a radio announcer and content creator, Langille has utilized his TikTok platform to showcase his disdain for potholes, even attempting unconventional activities like fishing and golfing using local potholes. Reflecting on his endeavors, Langille humorously remarked, “Just like putting on a real green, I came up short.”
Langille is not alone in facing the pothole epidemic in Canada, with numerous drivers contending with these road hazards daily. This issue has led municipalities to allocate significant funds for maintenance, while drivers are burdened with frequent visits to mechanics.
Fortunately, new solutions are emerging to address this persistent problem, ranging from employing artificial intelligence for pothole monitoring to exploring innovative road surface technologies.
According to Nemy Banthia, a civil engineering professor at the University of British Columbia, the primary cause of potholes in Canada is the repeated freezing and thawing of roads. Moisture from rain and snow seeps beneath the road and freezes, leading to ground expansion. As temperatures rise, the ground contracts, creating bulges in the road that crack under the pressure of passing vehicles, forming potholes instantly.
Banthia highlighted the worsening situation due to factors like climate change, which intensifies freeze-thaw cycles and brings heavier rainfall. Additionally, the increasing number of registered vehicles in Canada exacerbates the issue, as infrastructure innovation has not kept pace with the growing demands on roadways.
The economic impact of potholes is significant, as Canadian drivers collectively incur additional expenses of $3 billion annually due to poor road conditions. This includes costs for vehicle repairs, maintenance, and other operational expenses. Municipalities also bear substantial financial burdens, with cities like Edmonton dedicating millions to pothole repairs each year.
Efforts to address potholes include innovative approaches like AI technology for early detection and crack-resistant road construction. Long-term solutions such as self-healing roads, which utilize advanced materials that repair cracks as they form, offer promising alternatives to traditional road maintenance. Banthia advocates for the adoption of such technologies in Canada, emphasizing their potential to reduce long-term costs and enhance road durability.