VDOT urges Virginians to report potholes for faster repairs

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is asking Virginians to report potholes along roadways so that crews can repair them as quickly as possible.

On Wednesday, Feb. 18, VDOT shared in a press release that crews are working to find and repair potholes along Virginia roadways as we enter the time of year when roads become more cracked and crumble.

Virginians are being asked to do their part by VDOT and report potholes along roadways, as well as allow crews the space they need to work.

“We know you see them and don’t like them, and we don’t like them either,” said Kevin Gregg, VDOT’s chief of maintenance and operations. “Motorists can help ensure that potholes are identified and repaired as quickly as possible by reporting them through our Customer Service Center. We ask travelers to please keep a lookout for our crews as they work to repair the roadway.”

Potholes can form at any time during the year, but with the winter weather Virginia has seen this season, more can appear due to freezing temperatures, heavy snow and rain. They form when moisture goes into the pavement, freezes, expands and thaws.

This cycle can weaken the pavement, and with the additional weight of traffic, it can loosen it over a period of time, causing roads to crumble.

When a pothole is reported to VDOT, local crews are notified and repair times are scheduled based on the location, traffic volume and impact and the pothole's severity.

Crews will then inspect the issue and determine the correct action and timeline for when the problem can be resolved based on the resources available.

During the wintertime, VDOT crews will create a temporary fix for potholes using cold patches, but no permanent repair can be completed until temperatures start to warm up.

VDOT only repairs potholes on state-maintained roads, such as interstates and highways, along with most primary and secondary roads. Local governments are responsible for fixing potholes on city streets and in Henrico County.

Virginians can visit VDOT's website here to report potholes and other road issues or call 800-367-7623, which is VDOT's 24-hour customer service center.