The scorching temperatures across Southeast Wisconsin have led to a spate of roadways buckling, causing concerns for public safety and infrastructure resilence. WISN reported that the extreme heat prompted the closure of Howard Avenue in St. Francis yesterday after the pavement near Interstate 794 dangerously buckled.
As the mercury soared, authorities were compelled to quickly to act when a stretch of Howard Avenue deteriorated, forcing the St. Francis Police Department to shut it down. "The pavement near the on-ramp of Interstate 794 toward downtown Milwaukee buckled under high temperatures," stated the police on WISN, not providing an estimate for when the road could reopen. Motorists are advised to remain vigilant and report any road damages they encounter over the course of the heat wave.
Similarly, in northern Sheboygan County, the Department of Transportation had to close down the right lane of I-43 north of Rowe Road today due to pavement failures linked to the heat. As WTMJ outlines, the prolonging heat is blamed for a series of pavement bucklings. An Extreme Heat Warning has been issued until 7:00pm tonight, with a Heat Advisory remaining in effect for all other counties in Southeast Wisconsin during the same time frame.
Road conditions are expected to potentially worsen as the heat cycle continues unabatedly. Pavement slabs, whether concrete or asphalt, tend to expand and press against each other when temperatures rise, as shared by WBAY. This expansion often results in the concrete rising or breaking apart, forming bulges or potholes that pose significant safety risks to drivers.
Milwaukee city officials are responding by encouraging citizens to make use of an online service request form to promptly report road issues.
