Perfect storm for potholes

    The harsh winter has taken its toll on roads in the Philadelphia region. Potholes are forcing many drivers to navigate the worst roads, as if they were a slalom course.
    Hundreds of potholes are being reported throughout the region as the result of February’s two massive snow storms. Craig Backlett runs a pothole patching company that does work in in Philadelphia and Bensalem. He says – potholes start as just tiny cracks in the pavement.

    The harsh winter has taken its toll on roads in the Philadelphia region. Potholes are forcing many drivers to navigate the worst roads, as if they were a slalom course.
    WHYY’s Tom MacDonald has more. [audio:100301TMPOTHOLE.mp3]

    Hundreds of potholes are being reported throughout the region as the result of February’s two massive snow storms. Craig Backlett runs a pothole patching company that does work in in Philadelphia and Bensalem.  He says – potholes start as just tiny cracks in the pavement.

    Backlett: The water travels down through the small fractures and then it re-freezes again at night and causes the pavement to lift and as the result of snowplow activity and the chemical used to treat the surfaces also plays a part in development of the potholes. The snowplows loosen it up and brings the areas that are weakened or fractured out and there you have potholes.

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    Potholes can be reported to city officials in Philadelphia by calling 311 or for state highways by dialing 1-800-fix road.

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal