Niagara Falls testing new pot hole solution

This solution is a relatively new product in Canada and Niagara Falls is one of the municipalities trying out this mixture, and has been seeing positive results so far.

Unique paving materials produces a “cold mix” that’s guaranteed to keep a pot hole filled for at least a year.

“It will outlast the asphalt surrounding the pothole if its installed properly.”

Crews make the cold mix using a dry gravel blended with a special blend of polymer based liquid asphalt cement.

Lakeside Landscape and strataWORKS distribute the cold mix throughout Southern Ontario.

“This mix will be sold throughout the Niagara region, and Haldimand and Norfolk County as well.

About two months ago Niagara Falls began using the product in a pilot program.

“This pothole was filled in January using the cold mix, and through the freeze and thaw, its held up.”

But some municipalities are hesitant because of its cost.

“The product cost is nothing compared to the labour cost and sending a crew out to fix a pot hole 2, 3, 4 times.”

Compared to a traditional mix, it costs about $4 more per pothole to use the ‘unique’ cold mix. But traditional mix requires more refills, at around $24 per repeat visit.

“You have to look at labour. It’s your biggest cost, not your product cost. So yes, it costs more, but it save you a lot more in time and labour.” says Niagara Mayor Jim Diodati.