What to do About Potholes

Story by Lindsey Chester | February 16, 2010 | Tags: Potholes, traffic

Pothole on Mac Arthur Drive

Cary, NC – The NCDOT warns 2010 is a bad year for potholes and asks that drivers be observant while driving on roads throughout the state.

REPORT A POTHOLE – STATE ROADS

Officials with the State Department of Transportation want your help keeping our roads in reasonable shape during this frosty winter.

How do you report a pothole? Call (877) DOT-4-YOU. Please be specific about where the pothole is located.

REPORT A POTHOLE – CARY

If you are in Cary you can report Potholes and other damage to Public Works & Utilities at (919) 469-4090 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. or e-mail townofcary@townofcary.org. They may tell you that the road in question (particularly in outlying areas) is not a Cary Road, but in fact a County or State road. Potholes on State-maintained roads in Cary will be reported to the N.C. Department of Transportation.

EVEN MORE ABOUT POTHOLES

Potholes are common during the winter months when moisture seeps into cracks in pavement, freezes, expands and then thaws. This causes cracks to widen or asphalt to rise. Traffic then loosens the pavement, which eventually crumbles, creating a pothole. The department says the state has seen several of these freeze-thaw cycles this winter.

Extra crews have been assigned to respond to the large number of potholes occurring across the state. Since most asphalt plants are not operating during winter months crews will use “cold patch,” as well as spray patchers, to patch the holes as an interim treatment. “Cold patch” is a premix that NCDOT stockpiles for winter pothole response. Crews will perform permanent patches with hot mix when it is available.

With the mix of snow, ice, thawing and freezing that we have had this winter, the NCDOT will be especially busy this year. But if you do encounter rough roads, do not slam on your brakes. Instead, roll through at a slower speed. Always keep your tires properly inflated.