Officials Say LI Potholes On The Rise After Winter Storms, Drivers Paying the Price: Report

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — Long Islanders may have noticed an increase in potholes after the past few snowstorms on local and state-maintained roadways.

Spokesman for the New York State Department of Transportation Region 10 (Long Island), Stephen Canzoneri, explained that it is a natural occurrence.

"Long Island’s highways are some of the heaviest-traveled roads in the country, and the recent severe weather, combined with the repeated freeze-thaw cycle, has accelerated pothole development on the region’s roadways," he said.

Potholes result from a contraction and expansion cycle in snowy and freezing weather, Town of Oyster Bay and Town of North Hempstead officials explained. Asphalt road surfaces crack under the heat of the day, which in turn allows snow and rainwater to seep into the underlying small cracks of dirt and gravel.

When temperatures drop, the water freezes and expands, widening the cracks repeatedly – ultimately leaving a hole when the ice melts.

Although snow plows may not directly cause potholes, they – along with any vehicle and everyday traffic – can exacerbate the issue. Snow-plow blades can catch damaged pieces and widen them, officials said.

A report from A National Transportation Research Nonprofit found that roads that are "deteriorated, congested, or lack some desirable safety features" cost NYS drivers $36.7 billion each year, up to $3,697 per driver. The report states this is due to higher vehicle operating costs, traffic crashes, and congestion-related delays.

The TRIP report, "New York Transportation by the Numbers: Meeting the State’s Need for Safe, Smooth and Efficient Mobility," found that in NYS, nearly half of the major locally and state-maintained roads are "in poor or mediocre condition," with nine percent of bridges rated as poor or structurally deficient. The report included data from across NYS.

When asked about the cost of fixing or replacing a tire that was damaged by a pothole, a worker from Locust Valley Auto Service said the price can range, but it may cost a person hundreds of dollars in unwanted expenses.

When asked if there's been an increase in drivers bringing in their cars for tire repairs, his answer was simple: "1,000 percent."

On average, tires should be changed every 10,000 miles, or every other oil change. For a more accurate reading, the auto shop has a gauge to measure the tire thickness to check when it is best to swap the tires out for new ones.

Nico, retail manager at Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists in Plainview, said they repair an average of 350 rims per day, but this number drastically increases in the winter.

"Especially this winter with Teslas," he said.

A person may spend a minimum of $125 to fix the rim if it's cracked or bent from hitting a pothole. Nico said it depends on the damage, and if they will have to refinish it by stripping the paint off and re-painting it.

When a tire hits a drastic pothole, there is a chance the rim can be cracked or bent, as well as the additional damage of a tire getting blown out. Nico said the most common would most likely be the bent rim and it is rare for the tire to be blown out without causing any issue to the rim.

"A lot of people don't want to fix the rim, or maybe they don't even know it's damaged, so they just purchase a new tire," he said, adding that by not fixing the rim, it can cause future damage like uneven wear to the tire and suspension components. Over time, the tire and suspension may have to be replaced more often.

Canzoneri said drivers are urged to call 1-800-POTHOLE (1-800-768-4653) to report potholes on any NYS-owned highway.

"The safety of the traveling public is always the top priority of the New York State Department of Transportation," he said. "Department of Transportation maintenance crews work around the clock to aggressively address potholes as they develop."

Town of Oyster Bay officials said as winter now turns to spring, "The Town will certainly begin its pothole operation."

As snow melts, potholes are becoming more noticeable, but TOB officials said they have not seen anything out of the ordinary this year, in terms of seasonal reports.

"Winter weather takes a toll on our roads and repairs are most effective once temperatures consistently rise," TOB officials said. "In the coming weeks, as conditions improve, our crews will fully transition into our annual pothole repair operations and respond promptly to reported issues to keep our streets safe and well-maintained."

For TOB residents who observe problematic potholes on Town roadways (not state-owned roadways), they can reach out to 516-677-5757, or email highwayoperations@oysterbay-ny.gov.

Umberto Mignardi, public information officer for the Town of North Hempstead's Supervisor's Office, said the TONH's Highways team has been busy with snowstorm cleanup and pothole repair is always ongoing.

"They’re ready to clean debris and apply temporary cold patches as needed," he said. "Permanent repairs are made later when warmer weather allows."

For TONH residents who see a pothole, they can contact the Town's call center at 311 and report the exact location.