You Can Now Report Danvers Potholes Online

DANVERS, MA -- The Danvers Department of Public Works is now letting people file reports of potholes online. The site collects information on the location of the pothole, and even lets you upload a photo of the tire-wrecking road defect. You can also report potholes by calling the DPW at 978-762-0231.

The Danvers DPW can only fix potholes on town-owned road. If the pothole you are reporting is on a state-maintained road, call MassDOT at 857-368-4636, or toll-free at 877-623-6846, or visit MassDOT's online contact information web page to send an e-mail.

Potholes form when water from snow and rain seeps into small cracks in the roadway, according to state highway officials. As temperatures drop, the water freezes and expands, making the cracks larger until potholes form. Heavy traffic, pavement age, vehicle weights, and snow and ice operations contribute to the problem.

Didn't know the pothole until after it damaged your car? You may be out of luck. Under State Law, Chapter 81, Section 18 of the Massachusetts General Laws, the State and Town are not liable for pothole damage to vehicles. You must report the damage to your personal automobile insurance company.

For more information, see the pothole-reporting Website.

Subscribe to Danvers Patch for more local news and real-time alerts.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).