Prairie State Wire

With a heat wave sweeping across Illinois, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is alerting drivers to potential pavement buckling on state roads. According to Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman, "The extremely high temperatures bring the possibility of pavement failures." Osman emphasized that while predicting exact locations and times for these incidents is challenging, IDOT has prepared its staff and materials to address repairs promptly. He urged the public to "stay alert and avoid driving over buckled roads, if possible, while giving our crews plenty of room to work."

Pavement blowouts occur when extended periods of high temperatures cause road surfaces to expand and buckle or blow out, creating uneven driving conditions. The likelihood of such events increases with precipitation and humidity.

IDOT personnel are actively monitoring road conditions and are ready to respond as needed. Motorists should be cautious of slowing traffic and ensure they move over and slow down for maintenance workers and emergency personnel.

To report pavement issues, individuals can contact IDOT at (800) 452-4368 or reach out via 911. Additionally, those traveling in extreme heat should carry drinking water as dehydration poses a significant risk if stranded.

For further details on how pavement failures happen, IDOT offers an educational video on the topic.