Heat wave melted county roads, buckled sidewalks
Temperatures in late June that killed 112 people were also hot enough to melt roads and buckle sidewalks, causing millions of dollars worth of damage and needed repairs across the state.
The historic heat, generally attributed to climate change, affected roads and other right-of-way infrastructure in 18 counties, including Snohomish and prompted Gov. Jay Inslee to declare a state of emergency.
The Washington State Department of Transportation estimates over $2.6 million in expenses for highways and interstates the agency manages. Government staff have over a year to submit funding requests.
Physics was the culprit. As something heats, it expands. But concrete in roads, generally hotter than recorded air temperature, can only expand so much before the pressure overwhelms expansion joints. For a surface like asphalt, the mixture can start to liquefy in sustained high temperatures.
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/heat-wave-melted-county-roads-buckled-sidewalks/
