Too Hot To Handle, Pavement Buckling

MADISON, Wis. (WMDX) – It’s so hot that you need to watch the road; a smooth ride can quickly turn bumpy and dangerous. Here’s why.

When something is heated, molecules begin to vibrate and move more, expanding the space between them. Pavement slabs do just that and push against each other. Called a pavement buckle, it can sometimes blow up. It can happen on local roads, and even on the interstate.

“If you are going at high speeds, depending on the severity of the buckle, it can cause the car to go in a different direction. You might go over it and wonder what was that, because you might feel a little heave from the road.” explained Rebecca Szymkowski the Director of Wisconsin Department of Transportation Bureau of Highway Maintenance. “It is a safety concern when people hit those. Unfortunately we don’t know when it’s gonna happen. They’re difficult to predict. I think if we could, we would take safety precautions. We just don’t know when it’s going to happen.”

Try not to drive over a buckle, if possible. Instead, slow down and get into another lane.

“We really want you to be safe and if there is something you see you can report that and they will try to get it addressed asap. 511 that info when roads are closed or issues it will posted so you can always be aware of any issues in your area.” said Szymkowski.

Good news – relief from the heat surges into Wisconsin on Wednesday, where crisper, cooler and sunny conditions will prevail.