It's Pothole Season — How To Report Them In Manchester

MANCHESTER, CT — It's pothole season in Manchester.

Crews from the Manchester Department of Public Works have already been out taking care of the annoying cracks and crevices, but, of course, there are more to come.

In Manchester, residents can report potholes on a town maintained road, by using the DPW's MarkIt Citizen Reporting Tool.

"To help expedite our response regarding potholes, please provide specific information whenever possible: 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," town officials said.

State maintained roads in Manchester include Center Street, Spencer, West Center, East Center, West Middle Turnpike (from the East Hartford town line to Center Street), East Middle Turnpike (from East Center St. to Bolton Town line), Charter Oak Street, Highland Street, Camp Meeting Road, Main Street (from Center Street to North Main Street), North Main (from Main to Oakland Street), Oakland Street (from North Main to Tolland Turnpike), Tolland Turnpike (from Deming St. to the Vernon town line), Deming Street and South Main Street.

To report a pothole on state roads: Contact the Vernon branch of the State DOT 860-875-4993, or use the online system.

To report a pothole on Green Manor Blvd. in the Manchester Parkade: Contact Northeast Retail Leasing 860-683-9000.

Drivers across Connecticut often notice a surge of potholes in late winter and early spring, a seasonal nuisance caused largely by water, freezing temperatures and heavy traffic.

Transportation officials say potholes begin forming when small cracks develop in aging pavement. Rain or melting snow seeps into the cracks and the layers beneath the asphalt.

When temperatures drop, the trapped water freezes and expands, pushing the pavement apart and widening the cracks. As temperatures rise again and the ice melts, the process leaves empty spaces beneath the road surface, weakening the pavement above.

Passing vehicles — particularly heavier trucks — then put pressure on the weakened area. Over time, the asphalt breaks apart and collapses, creating the hole drivers encounter on the roadway.

Once a pothole forms, it tends to grow quickly. Water collects in the opening, and repeated traffic dislodges more pieces of pavement, enlarging the hole.

The problem is especially common in northern states where temperatures frequently fluctuate above and below freezing. Those repeated freeze-thaw cycles accelerate the damage, leading to the rash of potholes motorists often encounter as winter transitions to spring.