pothole

A pothole is a hole or depression in a paved road surface, typically irregular in shape and with broken or loose edges. It most often occurs in asphalt pavements but can also appear in concrete roads. Potholes disrupt traffic and can cause vehicle damage, safety hazards, and accelerated pavement deterioration.

Formation typically begins with water entering cracks in the pavement. In cold climates, water that seeps to the subbase and freezes expands, weakening the pavement structure. Repeated traffic loads then dislodge material, forming a pothole. Poor drainage, aging pavement, and fatigue cracking in heavily trafficked routes also contribute to pothole development.

Impact includes a higher risk of collisions or tire punctures, damage to suspension systems, and longer stopping distances. Potholes increase maintenance costs and can disrupt traffic flow, especially on busy urban streets and highways.

Repair methods vary by severity and traffic. Temporary cold-patch materials are often used as quick fixes, while hot-mix asphalt patches provide longer-lasting relief. Other techniques include spray-injection patches and semi-permanent repairs, followed by resurfacing or full-depth reclamation as needed. Preventive maintenance such as crack sealing, proper drainage, timely pothole repair, and routine resurfacing reduces the frequency and size of potholes.