Transportation & Roads

First the Arctic vortex, then the thaw, now potholes

By |

By ASHLEY WEIGEL
Capital News Service
LANSING — While most of the immediate effects of the Arctic vortex storm have passed, potholes may continue to appear for many weeks. The thaw following the storm has created jagged potholes across many main roads in Michigan. This is common, as the freezing and thawing of pavement causes this to happen every year. Potholes are no small matter. The Michigan Department of Transportation spent $8.2 million in the 2009 fiscal year on pothole repairs alone, and the number of potholes this year is steadily increasing.

Environment

Porous pavement offers environmental edge, advocates say

By |

By JUSTIN ANDERSON
Capital News Service
LANSING –Rainwater flows through porous pavement, allowing it to quickly reach soil. That helps keep pavement clearer from ice and snow in the winter. And it reduces the pollutants that rain can wash off of streets and into surface water. Stormwater acts more naturally, like it did before so much ground was covered with city streets, said David Drullinger, an environmental quality professional with the Department of Environmental Quality. Detroit, Grand Valley State University, Michigan State University, Battle Creek and Ann Arbor all have porous pavement installations.

Environment

Bill to ban pavement sealants stalls in committee

By |

By PATRICK LYONS
Capital News Service
LANSING — Legislators in Michigan and other Great Lakes states are proposing to ban coal-tar pavement sealants that kill aquatic animals and possible threaten human health. Such bans are in place in 15 municipalities and two counties in Wisconsin, Minnesota, New York and Texas. Washington has a statewide prohibition. Coal-tar sealant used primarily on parking lots made with coal-tar pitch, a human carcinogen, according to Environmental Science & Technology magazine. The sealants contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons – PAHs for short – some of which are considered probable human carcinogens by the Environmental Protection Agency.