Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Several daytime highs above freezing in southeast Minnesota have prompted the return of potholes along area roads. 

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MnDOT District 6 Spokesman Mike Dougherty says the combination of rain and a freeze-thaw temperature cycle in January and February has caused moisture to seep into cracks along roads in southeast Minnesota, which leads to the formation of potholes. 

During an interview on KROC-AM’s Rochester Today, Dougherty said the potholes are forming earlier than usual. He said crews have what he describes a cold-weather mix to temporarily patch potholes in freezing temperatures. 

pothole
(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Dougherty says the patch mix will come out of the pothole as temperatures warm which means crews will return to refill the potholes with what he describes as a longer-term patch. Dougherty also says crews will be sealing cracks while cold temperatures still remain. 

“As it gets warmer everything starts to expand and those cracks don’t seem as noticeable and its tougher to get them filled then,” Dougherty said. “So we got some key times when we fill that as well.” 

Dougherty is also encouraging drivers to report any potholes they see along the state’s highways. Motorists can report a pothole by calling MnDOT’s Rochester-based southeast Minnesota District office by calling 507-286-7500 or by emailing michael.dougherty@state.mn.us.  

He asks anyone reporting a pothole to be as specific as possible when describing its location. “If you can kind of get them a much more precise location, we can get out to it and get a crew to patch it up and help out,” said Dougherty. “We appreciate the public’s help in that.”

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