Heat causes road surface to buckle in Ypres, timing inconvenient ahead of rally

Extreme heat is causing significant damage to road surfaces in and around Ypres, Belgium. Concrete slabs are buckling upwards due to thermal expansion, with the city's technical service reporting approximately five incidents.

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We have received about 5 reports

The phenomenon is particularly affecting traditional concrete roads. Stijn Fertin, head of the technical service, explained that the heat causes the concrete to expand, reducing the gap between slabs. This pressure leads to the road surface heaving upwards. He noted that certain locations, like the villages of Voormezele and Zillebeke, are repeatedly affected, often where concrete surfaces meet block paving.

The timing of this damage is particularly inconvenient, as the renowned Ypres Rally is taking place this week. However, Stephaan De Roo, alderman for Public Domain, anticipates no major problems for the rally itself. He stated that the rally primarily uses asphalt roads, where this particular issue of concrete expansion is less common.

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The heat causes the concrete to expand, the gap between the concrete sections becomes too small and due to the tension the road surface comes up.

The only solution for the affected concrete sections is to break them up and replace the damaged parts. This process will occur once temperatures decrease. Damage has also been reported on a cycle path between the sub-municipalities of Boezinge and Elverdinge.

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For now, no major problems have been reported on the course. I don't think we should expect any. The rally is mainly driven on asphalt roads. This phenomenon occurs less there.