Climate change is damaging roads

With 2018 well under way, the ravages of extreme weather in recent months is now sadly apparent on the road network in many countries, and even on many continents. In East Africa, heavy rains have overwhelmed storm drains in many areas, with flood waters washing away vehicles and damaging road surfaces in urban and rural areas alike. Road repairs are now having to be carried out in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda to patch up surfaces that have been washed away, along with the replacement of signage and
August 16, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
With 2018 well under way, the ravages of extreme weather in recent months is now sadly apparent on the road network in many countries, and even on many continents.


In East Africa, heavy rains have overwhelmed storm drains in many areas, with flood waters washing away vehicles and damaging road surfaces in urban and rural areas alike. Road repairs are now having to be carried out in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda to patch up surfaces that have been washed away, along with the replacement of signage and signalling.

In the northern hemisphere, the severe extended winter weather of recent months has resulted in many potholes appearing in roads. Canada and the US in North America and virtually every country in Northern Europe have all suffered to a greater or lesser degree in terms of road damage. The recent severe weather has highlighted areas with poor quality road surfaces also, which are more vulnerable to extremes of cold or rain.

The freeze-thaw process has broken up poorly joined asphalt surfaces, with many failures becoming apparent. This has been worsened in many instances with water utility pipes failing underneath roadways, causing scouring and collapse in some instances, with repair work causing delays for grumbling road users.

The problem is far greater than mere potholes however; safety can be compromised greatly by poor road surfaces. For all road users the safety implications of potholes can be serious, with powered two-wheeler riders and cyclists particularly at risk from failed surfaces.

And worse still, there are strong signs that this trend towards severe weather is worsening. In some countries record levels of rain or snow have been recorded, with severe weather periods also lasting longer than ever before. There are still those who claim climate change is not happening, despite clearly visible evidence. However, it is worth remembering that around 95% of the scientific community believe climate change is a real and present danger to humanity. Pretending that climate change is not happening is not excusable.

The threat to transport infrastructure posed by climate change is highly visible. And for some low-lying countries around the world, this threat could have potentially devastating consequences.

Related Content

  • Vandals attack road fittings on key Nairobi road link
    April 24, 2013
    A wave of vandalism has hit a new superhighway from Nairobi as Shem Oirere reports. The newly opened 45km superhighway in Kenya’s capital Nairobi is facing a new challenge that threatens to erode its international standards and compromise the benefits it is meant to generate. A wave of vandalism targeting road fittings has hit the US$360 million highway linking Nairobi to Thika Town, posing a new challenge in the maintenance of the new road infrastructure in Kenya. The destruction delayed the completion of
    Read More
  • Distracted driving report from European nations
    April 16, 2018
    There are now calls from right across Europe to increase education, enforcement and penalties for distracted driving. Mike Woof reports Surveys across Europe have revealed worrying attitudes to the use of mobile devices while driving, according to a report by the European Transport and Safety Commission (ETSC). Campaigners are calling for better enforcement, higher penalties, technological solutions and education to raise awareness of the risks. A survey in the Czech Republic found that 36% of drivers a
    Read More
  • Importance of road/tunnel drainage systems
    April 10, 2012
    A variety of systems are available for quickly and efficiently removing water from roads as Patrick Smith reports The presence of water in a highway layer reduces the bearing capacity of the road, and in doing so it also reduces the structure's lifetime. Indeed, the recent extremely cold winter in many parts of Europe has shown that in colder climates there is a risk of frost damage when water is present resulting in costly potholes, so drainage systems performing properly are important in road design.
    Read More
  • Importance of road/tunnel drainage systems
    May 8, 2012
    A variety of systems are available for quickly and efficiently removing water from roads as Patrick Smith reports. The presence of water in a highway layer reduces the bearing capacity of the road, and in doing so it also reduces the structure's lifetime. Indeed, the recent extremely cold winter in many parts of Europe has shown that in colder climates there is a risk of frost damage when water is present resulting in costly potholes, so drainage systems performing properly are important in road design.
    Read More

Highlighted Content