ABC 57

WATERVLIET, Mich. -- The City of Watervliet is reaching out to Berrien County and the State of Michigan for help fixing potholes on E. Saint Joseph Street that have become more damaged than expected due to a seemingly continuous cycle of freezing and thawing.

"Due to the extreme cold and wet conditions the last few weeks, the efforts by the Public Works Department filling the holes with cold patch and road millings did not hold up and we expected it would not, but it was the only temporary alternative," road crews said. 

"This week, as planned because of a break in the weather, the Public Works Department used heated patching materials and compacted the material into the worst holes, approximately 10 tons of material was used."

But that was not enough it seems, as the city has reached out to the Berrien County Road Commission and a plan is being worked out to have them assist us the city in resurfacing the road when the asphalt plants reopen in April.

City officials also say they have contacted the Berrien County Weigh Master and asked for extra patrols to enforce overweight trucks and frost laws that go into effect March 3.

"I have been in contact with local trucking companies and garbage haulers and asked that they avoid E. St. Joseph Street," a city spokesperson said.  "I have contacted our state representatives in Lansing and asked for emergency funding as this road is not scheduled for complete replacement until 2027."

The city says it will continue to repair the road and seek funding opportunities to make the street as safe and drivable as possible.