PennDOT to deploy crews as pothole complaints top 1,400 in Delaware Valley

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Drivers across the Delaware Valley are reporting a surge in potholes as winter weather continues to damage roadways, prompting PennDOT to schedule another round of repairs next week. The agency said it has already received more than 1,400 pothole reports since the start of the year.

For many commuters, dodging road craters has become part of the daily routine.

"And you'll feel them before you see them," said Tony Auriemma of West Norriton.

AAA King of Prussia car care manager Gabriel Davila said the repair shop is seeing the usual spike in tire damage that comes with freeze-thaw cycles. Drivers often arrive with flats or more serious issues after hitting deep potholes.

"They keep getting more and more aggressive, to put it that way, as time goes by, because now they're hidden," Davila said, referring to the snow and ice covering the craters

"Every time it rains and it's not fixed, it sinks deeper and deeper," said Lavar Sanders of Olney. "So I think yeah, might as well get ready to buy new tires now today."

Auriemma said the impact can be jarring. "I feel like my teeth are gonna fall out when I hit some of those. Let alone the damage it does to the car," he said.

Davila said the consequences can be costly.

"Now we have seen situations where you pop the tire, you bend the wheel, you break suspension components, and all of a sudden insurance gets involved because they become really expensive repairs," said Davila.

PennDOT announced Friday that crews will be dispatched next week to patch potholes on 35 state highways across the region. With more rain in the forecast, drivers say they hope the work will ease the rough ride.

"It's not fun when you're commuting and stuff like that, and then you gotta avoid potholes and cracks in the road," said Chavar Robinson of Lower Providence Township. "And I know they're doing work in certain areas, they're trying to get stuff done, but the weather's not helping."

Davila said drivers can reduce their risk by staying alert and checking tire pressure before heading out. "Once you have the right tire pressure on your vehicle, if you hit a pothole, the chances of destroying the tire are significantly lower, but not zero."

Potholes can be reported to PennDOT's Customer Care Centeronline or by calling 1800FIXROAD.

Below is the list of locations where PennDOT is sending crews next week:

Bucks County

• Route 332 (Newtown Bypass/Holland Road), Northampton Township
• Route 663 (John Fries Highway), Milford Township
• Allentown Road, Milford Township
• Bridgetown Pike, Northampton Township
• Bristol Road, Warwick, Warrington, and Doylestown townships
• Cold Spring Creamery Road, Buckingham Township
• Trenton Road, Falls and Middletown townships

Chester County

• U.S. 1 (Kennett-Oxford Bypass), New Garden Township
• U.S. 30 (Coatesville-Downingtown Bypass), Valley, Caln, East Caln, West Whiteland townships
• U.S. 202, West Whiteland, East Goshen, East Whiteland, Tredyffrin townships
• Route 23 (Ridge Road), East Coventry and East Vincent townships
• Route 41 (Gap-Newport Pike), London Grove Township
• Route 100 (Pottstown Pike Spur), West Goshen and West Whiteland townships
• Route 724 (Schuylkill Road), North Coventry and East Coventry townships
• Old Baltimore Pike, Lower Oxford Township

Delaware County

• I-95, Chester City, Chester and Tinicum townships
• U.S. 1, (State Road) Springfield Township
• U.S. 322 (Conchester Highway), Chester and Upper Chichester townships
• Barron Road, Middletown Township

Montgomery County

• U.S. 422, Upper Providence Township
• Route 73 (Skippack Pike), Whitpain Township
• Route 152 (Limekiln Pike), Horsham Township
• Route 232 (Huntingdon Pike), Lower Moreland

Philadelphia County

• I-76
• I-95
• U.S. 1
• Route 63 (Woodhaven Road)
• Route 73 (Tacony-Palmyra Bridge)
• Chestnut Street
• Germantown Avenue
• Market Street
• Ridge Avenue
• Vine Street
• Walnut Street
• Wissahickon Avenue