Another I-4 Pothole Opens In Downtown Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. — It happened again Tuesday. Another pothole broke open on I-4 near downtown Orlando and backed up traffic. WFTV found out repair work is helping to create the problem.

It's the way the cuts are made into the concrete that creates the problem. A Florida Department of Transportation spokesperson said the department is working with the outside contractor to resolve the issue.

Road crews spent an hour Tuesday fixing a pot hole that opened up on I-4 near the Kaley exit and caused a major backup. It was the second time in two days potholes have been a problem, and the third time in a matter of months.

So far, a dozen drivers have popped their tires.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is now looking into how it can prevent potholes from opening up.

Crews are currently working on a $1.5 million road maintenance project. There are 350 concrete slabs along I-4 being replaced.

It's a two step process. First, workers cut the concrete. Then, the next day, they remove the concrete and fill it in. A spokesperson says the potholes form after workers make the cuts in the concrete.

Over 190,000 vehicles travel along I-4 per day. FDOT says that's the problem. As thousands of cars drive over the cuts, the slab starts to break. FDOT said this is the first time they've seen this type of problem during a project. It's now looking for a new way to cut the slabs and will meet with the outside contractor.

FDOT says the contractor will not be working in the rain, but will be monitoring the roads to make sure there aren't any new potholes.

These potholes could keep happening unless road crews can make repairs to certain stretches of I-4, but highway repairs cost big money. It would cost $2 billion to widen I-4. Central Florida only received $44 million in economic stimulus money for local road projects.

Previous Stories: September 27, 2010: Pothole Shuts Down I-4 Lane For 3 Hours July 27, 2010: Pieces Of Concrete Cause Damage To Cars On I-4

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