TOBAY Starts to Patch up Potholes

Nobody likes potholes. Besides spilt coffee, these blemishes in our roadways can cause serious damages to vehicles if they wreck enough havoc on our tires and suspension.

This winter we got a lot of ice and snow and had temperatures fluctuate from above and below freezing – which unfortunately means bigger and badder potholes for our roadways. But the Town of Oyster Bay said they have already begun to fix the problem.

"They've been out, patching," said Phyllis Barry, spokesperson for the Town of Oyster Bay. "We're out constantly, doing repairs and looking for potholes and people report them to us."

Last week when temperatures hit 55 degrees, workers were out in full force using hot asphalt to fix the potholes because it makes for a more permanent repair, according to Barry. On colder days, the workers use cold asphalt, which is not as effective.

This pothole season is set to be more severe than in years past because of the snow and harsh weather conditions we received in the past months, as well as the recent fluctuations in temperature. 

"It's when you get the cold and the soft - if you stay consistently cold you don't have as big as a problem," Barry said. "It's the thaw-freeze cycle which causes them at this time of the year."

Barry added that the cost to fix the potholes is a part of the town's highway maintenance budget, and is not an extra cost to the town. The Town of North Hempstead but TOBAY has no plans to do the same. 

Laura Schultz, of Residents for a More Beautiful Syosset, was very happy with the effort after seeing town workers in action on Jackson Ave. this past Friday. 

“We saw them patching this morning,” Schultz said. “It looks like they’re taking very good care of us there.” 

Jackson Ave. has long been a controversial topic for Syosset residents. in fixing the street has caused some residents to lose their patience with the town. However, it was recently announced by Town Supervisor John Venditto, however that the long overdue work on the street and finish before the start of 2012. The pothole repairs on Jackson Ave. are separate from the plans to fix the street.

Aside from Jackson Ave., there are other main streets and side streets in Syosset that have a pothole problem. Lewis Lane is one side street of Jackson Ave. that is a cause of concern for residents. Arizona Avenue is another street with a couple of noticeable craters. 

"We've got some bad potholes over there," Schultz said of Lewis Lane. 

While reporting a pothole is perfectly fine, Barry said the Town of Oyster Bay has been receiving complaints of potholes in streets that are not in their jurisdiction. Anything on Jericho Turnpike, Merrick Road, Sunrishe Highway, Route 135, Route 106/107 or any other parkways are NOT a Town of Oyster Bay road. 

To report a pothole or voice your concern of a street, residents can call the Town of Oyster Bay Highway Department at 516-677-5757, or send an email through the town's website.