BROCKTON, Mass. -- Spring potholes are as predictable as spring shower but Team 5 Investigates noticed that on many major highways around Boston the ruts in the road are most prevalent right along the lane markings.

"I was on Route 24 and saw the huge ruts and the same thing on I-495," said Robin Landers, who drives route 24 regularly on her way to work at the Franklin Paint Company where she is General Manager.

Landers was particularly interested in the patterns of potholes on the road because Franklin Paint makes some of the products the state used for stripng the lanes.

Team 5 Investigates learned the huge craters in the road represent a Mass Highway mistake. The state has been striping lanes with a product called thermoplastic.

It cost more than other durable products and adheres to asphalt very well, according to Landers.

"Thermoplastic is a durable marking that goes on the highway in a power form," she said.

Industry experts said Thermoplastic is a perfect choice when used on newly paved surfaces but on old highways like Route 24 it eats away the asphalt.

Fred Foley who owns a Holbrook marking and paving company called Mark-A-Lot Inc said, the state should have known better.

"I'm sure they know what the fix is and what the problem is and probably are not telling anybody," said Foley.

Mass Highway told Team 5 Investigates the normal freeze thaw cycle is a big part of the problem. The state also admitted, the minute it noticed a problem with the Thermoplastic the state decided to "no longer use this particular combination of asphalt and pavement markings, " said Adam Hurtubise at the Executive Office of Transportation.

"Instead of Thermoplastic, the state is using epoxy or a polyuera for marking lanes," said Hurtubise.

Thermoplastic also drys with an eighth of an inch lip that snowplows catch and rip up. The thermoplastic comes up with the asphalt bonded to the bottom.

"As the asphalt ages it disintegrates and the plows are hitting the Thermoplastic and it's chipping off," said Garrett Garstang, Franklin Paint's Sales Manager.

Mass Highway will do pothole repair and in a statement said, "All replacement striping will be with an epoxy, temporary tape or latex paint."

Experts in road striping told Team 5 Investigates' Rhondella Richardson that striping with anything other than paint is a waste of time and state money.

"Epoxy -- it's a chemical, and a chemical already broke down the roadway," said Foley.

Mass Highway spokesperson said Route 24 is scheduled for resurfacing soon. He said resurfacing is the real solution to the horrible road conditions.