The holes in the roads in Odense are constantly patched. But they occur again almost as quickly, says a municipality under pressure.
Motorists in Odense have no doubts. And even at the municipality, you can easily see the problem. Because there is no mistaking it.
The roads in Funen's largest city are full of potholes. In fact, there are so many holes that new holes appear as soon as another one is patched.
This is what Odense Municipality writes in a press release .
The winter weather is to blame. It has been a tough time for the asphalt – and not just in Odense but in the whole country.
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– There have been large amounts of water. When it alternates between freezing and cold weather, the water penetrates into the asphalt, and it is impossible to predict where the holes will appear.
– Therefore, we patch the holes as quickly as we can, but we also have to recognize that new ones are constantly emerging.
– And it will probably only get better when we get so far into the year that we have a constant temperature with plus degrees and better weather, says city and culture councilor Soren Windell (C).
The weather is bad news for the foundation on which the asphalt is laid – the so-called road box. In many places it is so wet that weak points cause the asphalt to break.
Functional manager for road operations in Odense Municipality, Heine Risom, is well aware that patching the roads is a temporary solution and that the patched holes are not pleasant to drive over.
– Patched holes are not pleasant to cover, but it is still better than a hole.
There are lots of potholes in the roads all over Denmark, and it can be felt as there is a struggle to get people to carry out the work, says the functional manager.
At the same time, Odense Municipality encourages citizens to report potholes in the roads – especially on side roads and in other smaller streets – via the app 'Giv et tip – Odense'.
When the municipality becomes aware of a new pothole on a road, a contractor is notified. That way, the hole is patched "as quickly as possible".
