Pothole Repairs

Potholes are formed when water seeps into cracks in the pavement surface and the continual freeze-thaw cycle in the early spring moves the surface of the pavement. This movement weakens the pavement. Traffic loosens the pavement even more, and it eventually crumbles and pops out. The pounding of tires wears a hole in the underlying gravel, and a pothole is formed. During the weeks leading up to the winter season, City crews make pavement repairs to help minimize the formation of potholes during the winter. The patching of potholes continues throughout the winter. During cold weather, temporary repairs are made with cold patch asphalt because the weather is too cold to use hot asphalt.

Please note that pothole repairs performed during winter months using "cold patch" are temporary, and that after heavy rain events the "cold patch" material often washes away, and the repair often needs to be redone.

During warmer temperatures, hot asphalt is used for more permanent repairs. Unfortunately, during periods where the weather fluctuates from freezing to warm temperatures, the formation of potholes is unavoidable. Spring temperatures warm the cold pavement, melting and evaporating any frozen water. This creates air pockets that can eventually cause the pavement to break up. A winter of heavy snow or rain and several freeze-thaw cycles can mean a big pothole season ahead.

As the City's Annual Paving Program improves the condition of more City streets, the amount of pot holes around the City will lessen and Potholes will become less of an issue In New Britain each winter and spring.

If you see a pothole that needs repair, please call the City Yard at (860) 826-3480

To help expedite our response, please be prepared to provide some specific information:

• The exact location
• Size (approximate length/width/depth)
• Is the hole on the sidewalk or roadway (driving lane or parking lane)?
• Is there a barricade or orange cone over this hole?

The more information we have, the better we can serve you.

Potholes on most heavily traveled roads are usually repaired within 48 hours of notification. Maintenance crews are constantly on the lookout for potholes, but we welcome citizen calls about potholes as well. The sooner the pothole is reported, the more quickly Public Works can remove that road hazard.