Metro Detroit Pothole Problem Deepens as Freeze-Thaw Cycle Damages Roads

Drivers across Metro Detroit battle worsening conditions. Michigan's freeze-thaw weather wreaks havoc on streets and highways throughout the area.

Temperatures swing wildly between winter's chill and spring's mildness. Meltwater from snow and rain can't escape. Why? The soil beneath pavement stays partially frozen during these cycles.

This trapped moisture seeps into road surfaces and lingers underneath, turning solid ground into something closer to mush. Every vehicle that passes digs ruts deeper, carving fresh holes into weakened asphalt.

Gravel roads get hit hardest. The ground locks into a freeze-thaw loop, blocking drainage and accelerating deterioration at an alarming pace.

Paved streets aren't spared either. Last week, people living in Huron Township spotted serious problems on Huron Road.

"They must have known you were coming because they wanted to go ahead and throw some dirt on there to make it look like they did something," Shelley told Click On Detroit.

The station wants viewers to share photos and pinpoint trouble spots. These submissions will guide reporters toward the worst areas that need attention.

This year's audience reaction has surpassed past seasons. The station keeps hunting for solutions as motorists deal with recurring road destruction each spring.

Anyone can upload pictures through MIPics on the Click On Detroit (WDIV) website. A free account requires just an email address, username, and password to get started.