Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell on Tuesday directed the state Department of Transportation to start a coordinated blitz to repair potholes that formed during the winter throughout the Old Dominion. More than 161,000 holes were repaired during last year’s “pothole blitz.” Potholes form when moisture seeps into pavement, freezes, then expands during the thaw — making late winter or early spring the prime time for repairs.
“Potholes aren’t just bumps in the road, they are serious roadway hazards,” McDonnell said.
VDOT and its interstate maintenance contractors are responsible for patching potholes on the 58,000 miles of state-maintained roadways in the state.
In making the announcement, the governor called on Virginia residents to point VDOT in the direction of potholes to facilitate quick repairs.
To report a pothole, people can visit VDOT’s Web site at virginiadot.org or call the department’s customer service center at 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).
Across the Potomac, the District will soon roll out its third annual “Potholepalooza” — a monthlong project in which D.C. will mobilize to patch potholes around the city, said John Lisle, a spokesman for the District Department of Transportation.
“I don’t think we’ve had a ton reported so far, but the weather’s probably going to start warming up soon,” Lisle said. “We try to get to them within 48 hours.”
Last year, the department filled more than 7,500 potholes during the “palooza,” and in 2009 they filled over 6,000, he said.
In Maryland, the State Highway Administration has been filling potholes since about mid-February along major highways, including Interstate 270 and the Beltway, said spokeswoman Kellie Boulware. Maryland residents can report potholes at the highway administration’s Web site, roads.maryland.gov.
