Extreme Heat May Cause Road Hazard

'Heat Buckling' of pavement can be a safety problem on hot days

Dover -- Motorists operating their vehicles during days of extreme heat, should be aware that the road surface may rupture, leaving a bump or mound on the road, announced officials from The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT).

These ruptures, known as heat buckling, range in size from a bump that is barely noticeable to a major traffic hazard requiring a road closure.

The excessive heat causes the pavement to expand, but not all the layers of materials expand at the same rate. Often, roads are constructed with a concrete layer under a hotmix overlay. The concrete pavement has a joint system to accommodate expansion and contraction, but in extreme temperatures, the joint cannot accommodate the expansion and the pavement is pushed upward.

Motorists are asked to report any heat buckling that they might notice on Delaware roadways, so that DelDOT can quickly make repairs. Motorists can call DelDOT's Transportation Management Center at (302) 659-4600, or dial #77 from any cell phone to report a problem with a road surface.

Stoplights Going Dark
During the summer season, there are often many thunderstorms that can cause temporary electrical power outages. These outages also affect stoplights. Motorists should be aware that whenever driving during storms that some stoplights might be dark due to loss of power.

Motorists are also asked to report any non-functioning stoplights by calling DelDOT's Transportation Management Center at (302) 659-4600, or dial #77 from any cell phone.