PITTSBURGH — It's that time of year when drivers not only have to deal with snow, but also have to dodge potholes.
Potholes are a familiar problem in Pittsburgh, but city leaders think they've found a solution that will make your drive smoother and repairs easier for public works crews.
City of Pittsburgh Chief Operations Officer Guy Costa told Channel 11's Rick Earle that the RoadMixer may be the answer to Pittsburgh's pothole problem.
"Cold patch is a temporary fix and we have to go back later in the springtime and take it back out and replace it. Cold patch doesn't hold as well," Costa said.
He said the RoadMixer is a heavy-duty truck described as an asphalt plant on wheels. He said the hot patch is mixed in the truck and then deposited right into the pothole, saving time and money.
"It gives us more flexibility. It's great in the wintertime when asphalt plants are closed," Costa said. "We are looking forward to it and we are going to try it on a lease basis to see if we like it."
Costa told Earle that the truck costs around $350,000 and is widely used in the United Kingdom with great success.
Costa said City Council approved an agreement to lease the truck on a trial basis.
According to Costa, the truck should be in use by next month. If they like what they see, the city plans to buy one, he said.
New heavy-duty truck could be answer to Pittsburgh's pothole problem
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