What is Road Soup? Winnipeg test drives new pothole patching project
There may be hope for Winnipeggers as they try to dodge numerous potholes on their daily commute.
The city is testing out a new product known as Road Soup, which would be used to help fill the craters during the early spring.
Normally, the city uses a cold asphalt mix when the weather is still cooler, but the mix doesn't last long. Once the weather warms up, a more permanent hot mix is applied.
But with Road Soup, it can be combined with the cold recycled asphalt. The city hopes this will last longer through the typical freeze-thaw cycle so potholes don't need to be filled more than once.
"I really appreciate the Public Works Department (trying) all sorts of different products and techniques," said Coun. Janice Lukes.
As of April 7, Manitoba Public Insurance had more than 1,600 pothole claims filed by drivers this year.
Jeremie Pantel works at West End Tire and has seen his fair share of pothole damaged vehicles come in.
"About two months ago, we started seeing a lot more than normal," he said. "Usually, we see more around this time, but with the low amount of snow and (the) quick melt, everything came out quicker."
He added the main problems have been blown-out tires or cracked rims, but there have been extreme cases like issues with front-end suspensions.
While the hope is the new product will work, Lukes said the city also needs to address the actual problem – fixing Winnipeg's aging streets.
"The solution to our roads situation is we need to be working with the province, which we are doing, on a new funding model, and we need to be working with the federal government," said Lukes.
The city said representatives from Road Soup are in Winnipeg now, helping mix a stockpile product. The stockpile will be used as a supplement to hot asphalt repairs this summer, and then the effectiveness will be measured during next year's freeze-thaw cycle.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'God forgives but we don’t': Loud outburst from stabbing victim’s family during sentencing hearing
An emotional outburst in a London, Ont. courtroom Friday disrupted the sentencing hearing of a woman who pleaded guilty for her part in the death of a 29-year-old Mohammed Abdallah.
How to keep insects out of your house, according to an entomologist and other experts
Now that temperatures have warmed up even more this spring, you may be anxious at the thought of bugs invading your home or you may already be battling the pests. Here are expert tips on how to keep them away.
Humboldt Broncos crash victims and families react to decision to deport truck driver
The family of one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018 says they are 'thankful' for a decision by a Calgary immigration board to deport the driver of the truck involved.
Community mourns victims of fatal boat crash near Kingston, Ont.
The three people killed in last weekend's tragic collision between a speedboat and a fishing boat north of Kingston are being remembered Friday.
A woman took her dog to a shelter to be euthanized. A year later, the dog is up for adoption again
Exhausted and short on options after consulting two veterinary clinics, Kristie Pereira made the gut-wrenching decision last year to take her desperately ill puppy to a Maryland shelter to be euthanized.
Ford thanks Ottawa as minister cites 'deep concerns' over Toronto's decriminalization
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is thanking the federal government for rejecting Toronto's long-stalled pitch to decriminalize the possession of illegal drugs.
What we know about the young missionaries and religious leader killed in Haiti
The local director of a mission group in Haiti and a missionary couple from the U.S. were attacked and fatally shot by gang members after leaving a youth group activity at a church, a family member told The Associated Press.
After toddler's near drowning in backyard pool, Quebec mom has warning for parents
A Quebec mother who saved her child from the bottom of a backyard pool last weekend has a message for other families.
Five things to know about the NHL playoffs
The Florida Panthers got close but fell short of going up 2-0 in their series on Friday, something the Edmonton Oilers look to do Saturday night.