(March 9, 2015) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) crews are patrolling State roads for potholes created by winter’s freezing temperatures, snow and ice. In order to safely repair potholes, crews need to briefly close travel lanes.  Motorists need to slow down and be extremely cautious near mobile work zones for their own safety and that of road crews. SHA repairs potholes during non-peak travel times between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

“Potholes are frustrating but unfortunately inevitable after a long, cold winter with dozens of snow and ice storms,” said SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters. “Once potholes are reported, crews will respond within two business days to repair the pavement, barring snow or rain.  Drivers can help us locate potholes by reporting specific locations through our on-line system.”

Citizens are encouraged to report potholes on state routes (numbered highways outside city limits) through SHA’s Customer Care Management System. Click here to report a pothole.  There, customers will find an online form with a link that will direct the service request to the nearest SHA maintenance facility to make the repairs. For the quickest response, citizens should note the highway, nearest cross-road or mile marker, the direction and which lane if possible.

For repairs on county roads (generally roads with names, not numbers), please contact the appropriate local jurisdiction, in Baltimore City or Washington, D.C., please call 311 and email MDTA@mdta.maryland.gov for toll highways (MD 200/ICC, I-95 from Baltimore City to Delaware, I-895, I-395, I-695/Key Bridge, US 50/Bay Bridge, US 40/Hatem Bridge and US 301/Nice Bridge).

SHA reminds motorists that highway workers performing mobile pothole repairs are usually in high speed traffic with little protection. It’s important to slow down and pay close attention as SHA improves the ride quality for hundreds of thousands of travelers.

 

 

 

Potholes develop when water seeps below the road surface, freezes and expands.  This pushes the pavement upward while the traffic above further stresses the roadway.  When the pavement thaws, it gradually falls into the hole and eventually traffic chips away and expands the pothole.

SHA maintains more than 16,000 lane miles of interstate, U.S. and state numbered, non-toll roads in Maryland’s 23 counties that carry almost three quarters of all traffic in the state. The roads take a constant beating from vehicles, accelerating the development of potholes.  Generally, SHA crews will fill a pothole within two business days, unless it requires a more permanent, substantial repair, in which case it may take a few days to complete. On average, over the past five years SHA has spent approximately $2.5 million per year on pothole repairs. 

SHA reminds motorists to “Move Over” when encountering highway construction and maintenance crews. Slow down and “Think Orange” and remember that maintenance workers often work on the highway without concrete barrier protection. 

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