UDOT

Crews filled 78 potholes in one night, while other crews clear drains, repair highway signs and complete other work

Despite little snow in valleys, Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) maintenance crews are keeping busy this winter. 

Crews are still out regularly pre-treating the roads to prevent ice, and plowing in the canyons where there is more snow. But with the warmer weather and lack of valley snow, UDOT’s maintenance crews have been able to tackle several other maintenance needs. 

“It’s kind of a crazy year, with much less snow than usual, but it can change on a dime here,” UDOT Director of Maintenance Shawn Lambert said. “No matter what the weather is, we’re always out here working. There are still plenty of activities to take care of.” 

For example, on Sunday, Feb. 2, crews from the Salt Lake Metro maintenance shed filled 78 potholes in one night on I-80 and I-15. And later this week the crew will fill potholes in the “Spaghetti Bowl,” where I-15, I-80 and SR-201 come together in a series of ramps. 

The Grantsville maintenance shed crew has kept busy crack sealing the SR-196 pavement near Dugway Proving Ground. This technique repairs the pavement by filling cracks in asphalt with a flexible sealant. 

“It’s a lot easier on us to be out here working in the cool weather than in the summer heat,” said Shane Lazenby, UDOT’s Grantsville shed supervisor. 

This week the Echo maintenance shed crew is clearing out drains from rockfall and debris. Other sheds all over the state have been doing everything from sweeping, litter removal, sign and post maintenance, fence repairs, rock removal, graffiti removal, cable barrier maintenance and more. 

“We’re out here doing whatever else needs to be done,” said Bob Giolas, the Salt Lake Metro shed supervisor.