Ottawa streets riddled with more potholes than usual

Morepotholes than usual have riddled Ottawa's streetsthis winter as the temperature continues to hover above and below the freezing point, according to the city's general manager of public works.

Kevin Wylie saysthere have been 42 freeze-thaw cyclesso far this winter compared to the average of 35.

Each of these cyclescauses hundreds of potholes to open upthroughout the colder months. Whenthe weather warms up, water seeps into cracks in roads, which then freezes when the temperature drops, making asphalt break.

Since Jan. 1, 18 city crews havefixed about 20,000 potholes a 25 per cent increase overthe average number of potholes fixed by this point each year.

"Starting with the warm weather coming on the weekend, we'll be hitting the potholes full force," Wylie said.

He added with little snow in the near future,the forecast for road repairs looks promising.