Staff
Between January and mid-March, Philadelphia road officials repaired 17,000 potholes. This is just half the amount that was filled in during the same period in 2018, according to officials. Yet, there are still multiple Philly roads which are in serious disrepair as a result of potholes. So, just why are Philly’s roads dotted with so many potholes, and how are officials in Philly going to tackle them so that locals can get to the latest Philly events safely?
Philly’s pothole problem
You’ll find hundreds of potholes on Philly’s roads due to the weather, according to Chelsea Lacey-Mabe from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). She explains that potholes start to appear when rainwater trickles into cracks in the road. When this is followed by sub-zero temperatures, the road expands. Add in the weight of multiple vehicles, and the road starts to break down. As several snowy winter storms hit Philly over the winter, and with 2018 recorded as one of the wettest on record in the city, it’s no surprise that potholes have formed on what feels like almost every road you turn down.
Taking action
During the week commencing April, 22, PennDOT will repair the potholes on 55 of Philly’s roads. This is good news for the city, as it shows how dedicated the local highways agency are to making the roads as safe as possible. What’s more, it proves that they’re keen to protect the nation’s vehicles from the damage that potholes can do. ChicMoto.com offers advice on potholes, and states that driving over them can result in you “knocking those tires out of alignment”. So, the sooner PennDOT fills up the potholes on Philly’s roads, the better off your car will be.
Spotted a pothole?
Despite PennDOT stating that this year’s pothole problem is less severe than last year’s, they say that they expect to be filling them in right through to mid-June. This is likely to be due to 75% of the highway reports sent in during March being related to potholes. So, it’s clear to see that there are dozens more potholes out there which need sorting. As such, PennDOT has requested that Philly motorists report any potholes they locate to them either by phone or by using their online feedback form.
Philly’s roads are covered in unsightly potholes which threaten to ruin your motor, should you drive over them. Thankfully, extensive work is being done to repair these potholes as soon as possible. But, for now, if you come across one, it’s best to avoid driving over it if it’s safe to do so, and to report it to the authorities immediately.
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