Weekend High Temps Mean More Buckling Roads Ahead

With temperatures expected to reach the mid-90s over the next few days  -- and the heat index even higher, road buckling could become a problem for some Illinois motorists.

The issue closed down parts of Interstate-55 in Central Illinois earlier this month. In other parts of the state, heat-waves also caused some temporary damage.

Guy Tridgell, a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Transportation, said buckling locations are hard to predict, so crews are always on the lookout ready with supplies. “If it’s necessary, we will block off the area. If it’s a temporary patch, then we can do the repairs quickly and move on. Or sometimes it might require a repair that takes a couple of days.”

Tridgell said wet weather followed by extremely hot days are perfect conditions for roads to blow out -- which is very common. "Water trapped underneath the roadway surface gets extremely hot and literally starts to boil and that causes the pavement to expand.” 

The department encourages motorists to report any road damage to 800-452-IDOT (4368) and to use caution while driving through work-zones.