OSCEOLA COUNTY — Freezing and thawing weather patterns have created widespread potholes across Northern Michigan, prompting the Osceola County Road Commission to warn that many rural roads currently cannot be treated. Road officials stated that repair work remains limited until water fully drains from the ground.
The potholes are the result of a seasonal freeze-thaw cycle where water becomes trapped above frozen layers of the road. This prevents melted water from draining, causing the roadway to expand and leaving the ground soft, muddy and unstable. This cycle is a common occurrence in rural areas of Northern Michigan during the late winter and early spring.
Michael Mattzela, the Osceola County Road Commission manager, said crews have been busy attempting to repair dirt roads that have become littered with holes. While the commission has received some complaints about the state of rural routes, Mattzela noted that the current condition of the ground makes some treatments counterproductive.
Attempting to use heavy machinery on unstable surfaces can often result in further damage to the roadway.“If you have a road that’s frozen or half-frozen and muddy, if we’re taking that big piece of equipment down that road, it gets even more muddy,” Mattzela said. He described the difficulty of operating equipment in these conditions. “We’re causing bigger ruts than there were before. We’re just basically kind of grading a big slushy pond, muddy pond. And it can make it worse.”The road commission recently sent a communication to local townships warning that gravel roads will remain soft and rutted for the time being. The notice reminded township officials that there is limited repair work available for both gravel and paved roads until the water is fully out of the ground. Mattzela asked for cooperation from the public as the county manages these seasonal changes.“We are doing everything we can,” Mattzela said. “We are all going to have to deal with these conditions on the roads and just be patient.”
Road commission crews plan to begin full grading and repairs as soon as the ground thaws. Mattzela said the team often work overtime to get the roads back into good condition.