City of Saskatoon to start permanently patching potholes in the cold

For the first time, the City of Saskatoon says it will be able to permanently patch potholes when it's cold.

It's part of a pilot study being launched this winterthat will see new infrared pothole repairing equipment used.

According to a news release put outby the city on Thursday, the machines will be able to fill potholes using recycled asphalt in temperatures as low as minus 10 degrees.

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The director of roadways and operations said this will mark the first time the city will be able to permanently patch potholes in winter because unless hot asphalt can be produced, potholes can only be filled temporarily when it gets cold.

The city says the equipment will use heat fuelled by propane and be able to work with the coldasphalt using a thermal heated metal plate. Recycled asphalt will be mixed with the existing asphalt to fill any holes.

"In addition to a smoother driving surface, the seamless transition between the new patch and the existing road will prevent snow melt from seeping into the asphalt and creating conditions for potholes to develop," Brandon Harris said in Thursday's release.

The city said there are more than 4,000 kilometres of roadway to maintain with a budget of $3.9 million.

Last year, 225,000 potholes were repaired.