Potholes popping up early after deep freeze, thaw, rain

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Roads around the region are becoming pockmarked with potholes following the recent deep freeze, followed by a thaw and rain.

Evidence of the roadway hazards could be seen along City Avenue on Monday, where orphaned wheel covers were clustered by the sidewalk.

The Pep Boys store on Allegheny Avenue is seeing more damaged tires and bent rims.

"In the past two days probably about 10 vehicles with damage to the wheels and tires," said Nick Kondos of Pep Boys.

This pothole season getting an early start this year. Since January 1, the Philadelphia Streets Department has been busy, says the Chief Highway Engineer Lorenz

"We did go out and fill potholes. As of last Friday we filled 1,600 potholes across the city of Philadelphia," said Lorenz.

Pothole damage can be costly, and AAA estimates billions nationally.

As for an individual driver, damage from potholes cost some drivers between $120 and $500.

Philadelphia has 2,500 miles of streets, excluding interstates. The best way to alert authorities to a pothole is call 311 or use Philadelphia's 311 app. There you can upload a photo of the offending road hazard, and give its location.

"311 will forward it on to the streets department. At that time we will have inspectors go out and see if it is a pothole that is the Streets Department's responsibility. If not we refer it to other entities such as PennDOT or SEPTA.

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