Discussing the phenomenon of rogue waves in the open ocean, author Sebastian Junger described them as surly giants roaming the sea, mean enough and powerful enough to destroy anything in their path.
Given Junger’s acclaimed ability to add depth and character to the weather, we wonder how he would treat this year’s selection of potholes. We think he might have a field day.
Potholes, of course, are not unique to Lincoln County, nor are we unique complaining about them. While they occur on many roads, they seem to be best nurtured anyplace that freezes and thaws regularly.
Just as every wave starts out as a ripple, every pothole starts out as a tiny crack in an impervious surface. Over time, water and debris is pounded into the crack and enlarges it. Freezing and thawing accelerates this process. Over time, that crack widens, the surface beneath the road is exposed to the elements, and a pothole is born.
Spring, aka mud season, is the time of year potholes bloom and we’re pleased to report Lincoln County has produced a bumper crop this year. At the moment, it’s hard to find a stretch of road in the county without at least one or two.
There are even a few places, like a stretch of Route 194 in North Newcastle, that mixes in significant frost heaves and potholes together to create an especially teeth rattling experience.
It’s a frustrating season to be a driver, especially if you have think of the costs of repairs each time you are launched out of a seemingly bottomless hole in the road.
We submit some of the examples you can see this spring might even count as rogue potholes. Not only are they twice the size of the average potholes, some seem mobile enough to cross the road and take a bite out of your car.
We kid, but this is serious business and can cost significant amounts both in repairs to the vehicles that traverse them and on the budgets to repair the roads. There are only so many frame-altering shots any one vehicle can take and only so much the taxpayers can give.
It ironic pothole seasons coincides with annual town meeting season. The exact time of year taxpayers are presented with budgets for road maintenance is one of the worst times of the year to be using the roads. Town officials like to keep the budgets down, and with good reason, but when it comes to vehicles and roads the cost burden seems never ending.
Pay now or pay later, the bill always comes due. Please drive safely Lincoln County.
