This winter's freeze/thaw cycles have been hard on Vermont roads. That's because when moisture gets into cracks then freezes, it causes potholes and frost heaves.
According to Vermont Agency of Transportation, it's been a particularly bad year for this. And cold patch — the material used to temporarily seal roads in the winter — is expensive, according to VTrans Maintenance Director Todd Law.
"We allocated almost $20 million this year for winter maintenance, and we're running $5-to-6 million over," said Law. Now, he said the department is trying to find that money elsewhere in the transportation budget.
The challenge, Law said, is to find that money elsewhere in the budget without infringing on paving — because sealed roads aren't as vulnerable.
The Federal Highway Administration lists freeze/thaw cycles as an impact of climate change, and recommends increased staff and resources to address it.