A heat wave over the Fourth of July weekend caused roads in the eastern U.S. to buckle, disrupting traffic. The most severe incident occurred on Interstate 97 near Baltimore, where a lane warped and closed. Similar issues arose in Chicago, prompting warnings from transportation departments about heat-related road damage. Scientists link these events to climate change, which is causing more frequent and intense heat waves and heavy rainfall. These conditions weaken roads, leading to costly repairs. Civil engineers explain that heat causes moisture-weakened pavement to expand and crack, especially in concrete roads. Solutions like expansion joints can help but may affect driving comfort. This raises concerns about the readiness of U.S. infrastructure for a changing climate.
QUESTION: How might increasing heat waves and road damage impact daily life and travel in the future?
As climate change damages streets and highways, the road ahead may be expensive
