How To Report Potholes On Fairfax County Roads, Highways

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA—It's about that time when encountering those pesky potholes becomes a part of our driving routines. The combination of snow, ice, rain and cold has created a new crop of potholes on streets and highways.

In Fairfax County, the Virginia Department of Transportation is preparing for the springtime pothole blitz. The effort to fix potholes happens after winter storms and spring rain. Typically permanent patching happens when temperatures are warmer as required to make hot mix asphalt. During colder weather, crews can make temporary patches for potholes with cold mix asphalt but cannot make permanent patching repairs.

On the road, remain aware of possible potholes, slow down and increase following distance to safely steer around hazards, says AAA. If you drive over a pothole, check your tires for blisters or other damage. If you have aluminum or custom wheels, check them for cracks. Your mechanic should check your steering, suspension, tires and alignment to prevent uneven tire wear or other problems.

To report a pothole on most Fairfax County primary and secondary roads, you'll contact VDOT. Fill out VDOT's form or call 1-800-367-7623.

To report a pothole on a road you know is covered by Fairfax County government, call 703-877-2800. Since VDOT has responsibility for most roads, few roads are maintained by the county.

To report a pothole on the Dulles Toll Road, contact the Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority.

To report a pothole on the George Washington Memorial Parkway, contact the National Park Service.

To report a pothole on a private road maintained by businesses, apartment/condo complexes, homeowner/civic associations or residents, contact the group responsible.

To determine if a road is privately or publicly maintained, see this map or contact VDOT at 1-800-367-7623 or send an email to novainfo@vdot.virginia.gov.

What Causes a Pothole?

Street pavement cracks and breaks because of water and traffic. Water can get under the pavement through cracks or from the side of the road. Over time, the water can cause the material under the pavement to erode, causing the pavement to sink down and break.

During the winter, the water under the pavement can freeze and expand, and then thaws and contracts. This freeze/thaw cycle can cause the pavement to crack so that it deteriorates quickly under the weight of traffic, and then streets can seem to break out in potholes overnight.

Traffic that is too heavy for the pavement's design can result in cracks. Large volumes of traffic or heavy trucks and buses using a street not designed for this load can cause the pavement to crack and break apart.

To minimize vehicle damage from potholes, AAA Mid-Atlantic offers these tips:

• Inspect Tires – Make sure tires are properly inflated and have a healthy tread.
• Look ahead – Make a point of scanning the road ahead for potholes. An alert driver is more likely to have time to avoid a pothole so limit distractions.
• Slow Down – If a pothole cannot be avoided, reduce speed safely without abrupt braking.
• Beware of Puddles – Puddles often disguise deep potholes.
• Recognize Noises/Vibrations – A hard pothole impact can dislodge wheel weights, damage the tire or wheel and even break suspension components. Any unusual noises after driving through a pothole should be inspected immediately.
• Where's the Spare – New car owners beware, a quick fix for a blown-out tire may be no more, as many newer cars do not have spare tires.
• Big Hole, Big Expense – Hitting a large pothole usually results in, not only replacing a tire, but also the need for wheel alignment and possible steering linkage damage, causing a bit hit to drivers' wallets.

Patch editor Deb Belt contributed to this report.