Skip to main content

Pothole challenge from mild winters

Sweden is seeing an additional pothole challenge from recent mild winters.
By MJ Woof March 26, 2020 Read time: 1 min
Milder winters have actually increased the incidence of potholes in Sweden – image © courtesy of Mike Woof

Mild winters are causing issues for the Swedish road network. High rainfall and varying temperatures are causing additional wear and tear for Swedish roads, with a higher risk of potholes developing than in previous years.

Delivering long-lasting pothole repairs presents a technical challenge. Varying conditions means that the freeze thaw process is increased, as cold stretches with temperatures below freezing point are then followed by milder weather.

The cost of the problem has yet to be identified. However, the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) is now reviewing a series of solutions to reduce the pothole problem.

Related Content

  • Peru’s Oyón -Ambo Highway presents challenges
    August 30, 2022
    Peru’s Oyón-Ambo highway project represents a landmark in construction for the country, while facing significant technical challenges – Paula Chapple, editor of Carreteras Pan-Americana (CPA), writes
  • Harsh winter weather impacts on road surfaces
    February 27, 2012
    With warmer weather now spreading across the Northern Hemisphere, the impact of a second successive harsh winter can finally be seen on the roads of many nations. The transport links of many countries were affected badly by tough winter conditions. From the US to Russia and the 27 European Union members, heavy snow blocked roads and led to endless delays.
  • The cycle of potholes in the UK
    October 1, 2019
    Since 2015 almost a million potholes have been recorded annually by UK local authorities, with the 2016 count reaching 1,088,965, according to an insurance provider.
  • New link for Shigatse Airport in China
    September 13, 2018
    A new 167km highway will be built in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. This will provide an improved transport link between Shigatse (Xigaze) Peace Airport and Lhasa. The project is expected to cost US$3.95 billion. A feasibility study has been carried out into the project and submitted to the region’s transport department. The existing G318 National Road connects the airport with Lhasa but features a number of sharp turns and the new link will provide extra capacity as well as improved safety levels