This “3 Questions With” comes from a sponsored interview in partnership with Tecovas.
When the word “hero” comes up, you might think of Superman, Wonder Woman, or, in more practical contexts, doctors and firefighters. But how about the road workers who combat Nashville’s ultimate archnemesis — potholes? We chatted with NDOT Pothole Patch Specialist Brandon Crofton to learn more about his heroic work.
How did you get into this line of work?
“Growing up, I just had this thing for fixing everything. I like the satisfaction of getting something done and having it look nice. When this job opportunity opened, I was like, ‘Okay, I can see myself doing this.’ And now I have the satisfaction of making things safe for everybody, and making the roadways look nicer.”
What does an average day look like for you?
“We come in, have roll calls, go to the plant, get loaded up with mix, then sift through all the work orders. We try to put everything in order to get as much done as possible.
“Once we do that, we’re out making the roadway safe. Filling potholes is honestly fairly simple. We have a patch truck with an auger that augers what we call hot mix. It's basically the same stuff you see on the roads now. We shovel it into the pothole, and we have these things called lutes, a flat, rake-type deal, to smooth the mix out. Then we tamp everything into the hole so it’s secure. Nothing pops back out or sticks to your tire when you drive over it. It’s just a smooth ride.
“The most potholes I’ve filled in a day is somewhere north of 80. At the end of the day, once we get these work orders completed, we get the truck cleaned out and go home to our families.”
What do you like to do to relax?
“I love taking my 8-year-old daughter fishing. She loves to fish. Our number one spot is Shutes Branch Recreation. We have a blast.”
