Big pothole, big problems

CARROLL COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - A large pothole proved to be a hazard Tuesday morning for drivers in Carroll County, forcing the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to take action.

The location where Old State Road 25 meets New State Road 25, south of Rockfield, may not look like much now. But Tuesday morning a pothole four to five inches deep covered the road for several feet.

"There was a seam between old and new asphalt that had given away and created a pothole in that area. The reports that we were getting were drivers having flat tires," said Major Tobe Leazenby with the Carroll County Sheriff's Office.

Leazenby said the department received a total of 10 reports. He said after all these reports, the department reported the pothole to the Indiana Department of Transportation.

Spokesman Matt Deitchley said the pothole formed as a result of the weather. INDOT has been working to repair the pothole with a temporary cold mix.  

"In this situation, that temporary fix kept getting bounced out and bounced out. So what we ended up having to do is ask the contractor for that area construction zone to put a more permanent fix into there," Deitchley explained.

The solution for now? A concrete mixture. Crews with the contractor, Crider & Crider Inc., worked all day Tuesday to fill the pothole. Deitchley said the goal was to make the evening commute home safer while the old and new highways remain under construction.

"It's something we normally wouldn't use, but for this kind of a temporary cross over road, will work for the time being until they can put a more permanent fix down," Deitchley said.

Deitchley said drivers who do have damages to their cars from this pothole are being asked to contact INDOT. He said there are forms available to fill out. To get those form, send an e-mail to laportedistrictcommunications@indot.in.gov.

Dispatchers said there have been no new problems reported since the concrete was installed. But potholes will become more and more common as the winter months continue. Major Leazenby said drivers need to put away the cell phones and really concentrate on the road.