Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor

Sikeston, Missouri -The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is kicking-off a heightened pothole repair initiative today and would like the public's help. Through the month of March, MoDOT's Southeast District maintenance crews are committed to repairing potholes as quickly as possible. MoDOT will aggressively respond and patch potholes to keep highways smooth and safe for Missouri motorists.

"We want to get asphalt in the hole within a day of being notified a repair is needed. Our goal is to repair it before you drive the same road the next day," said MoDOT District Engineer Mark Shelton.  "We know our aging infrastructure is prone to potholes this time of year, and we are making every effort to keep our roads safe and as smooth as possible."

MoDOT encourages motorists to report the location of potholes using the following tools:

• Call our toll-free Customer Service Center at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636)

• Use  our Report a Road Concern form on the web at http://www.modot.org/southeast/

• Use your smart phone/tablet with a mobile friendly form at www.modot.org/roadconcern

• By email to comments@modot.mo.gov

• Through social media: Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MoDOTSoutheast; or Twitter @MoDOTSoutheast.

Potholes form when temperatures warm up during the day, but continue to be cold at night. This is the main cause of potholes in highways and why they are prevalent during spring season. The rain and snow from winter leave moisture that seep into the cracks and joints in the pavement. When temperatures drop, the water freezes and expands the pavement. This expansion causes the pavement to bulge and crack. When cars drive over the bulging pavement, it eventually causes chunks of pavement to pop out.