Potholes a Problem Every Spring

A sure sign of spring, potholes. This time of year it feels like you could lose your whole car in one, if you hit it just right.

When the snow melts, it's pretty clear the damage a winter can do to our roadways. Actually this year, the New York State Department of Transportation says there's relatively fewer potholes compared to years past.

Most times they are unavoidable until your car comes right on top of them. Potholes can do a number on your vehicle, and certainly test your patience. They are a sure sign that winter has taken its toll. Some roadways are hit harder than others. The NYSDOT says it receives about one complaint per day on the east side of Monroe County. That number is lower than previous years. The more freeze-thaw situations we have, the more potholes.

"It's a function of water getting into the road bed. And through cracks in the pavement, the water infiltrates the road bed, and then, as the road bed freezes, the water expands, creates voids and more cracking," said James Willer, NYSDOT.

The key to preventing potholes actually starts the summer before. Willer says the more aggressive crews are about putting a "roof" or sealant on the roadways, the less likely we will experience potholes the following winter.

If you have a pothole to report, you can call a 24/7 toll free hotline. The number is 1-800-POTHOLE. The NYSDOT checks that hotline at least once a day.