SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. - As extreme heat continues to bake Delaware, the Department of Transportation is working to fix multiple cases of road buckling, including several along highways in Sussex County.
On Tuesday, DelDOT reported that five sections of Route 113 buckled due to the heat, along with another spot on Route 1 near Milford. A sixth area buckled Wednesday morning near the Five Points intersection in Lewes.
DelDOT crews have been using grinding equipment to smooth the damaged pavement and eliminate immediate hazards. Officials say permanent repairs will be scheduled later.
Route 113 showed visible signs of buckling near Milford on Tuesday. (DelDOT)
Road buckling occurs when pavement materials expand in high temperatures, causing the surface to shift or break, says DelDOT. In these instances, DelDOT crews use grinding equipment to level off the areas that have buckled to remove the immediate hazard. The department will schedule more permanent repairs at a later date.
With another day of temperatures expected in the upper 90s, DelDOT is urging drivers to stay alert and slow down when approaching any work zones. Drivers who notice new road buckling are encouraged to call DelDOT’s Transportation Management Center by dialing #77.
