Pothole Patrol: Here's Who to Call in Fairfax County

MCLEAN, VA -- When spring rolls around, winter leaves behind the unwelcome gift of potholes. The Virginia Department of Transportation is the go-to agency for most roads, but in some cases, other entities are responsible.

Here is where to report potholes on roads in Fairfax County:

• VDOT: The state agency maintains most primary and secondary roads in Fairfax County. Report a pothole online or call 1-800-367-7623.
• Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority: The agency is responsible for Dulles Toll Road. Report a pothole online or call the non-emergency number at 703-417-2400.
• National Park Service: The federal agency maintains George Washington Memorial Parkway. Email NPS online or call 703-289-2500.
• Fairfax County: Few roads are maintained by Fairfax County. To report a pothole on a road you know the county maintains, call 703-877-2800.
• Private Owners/Home Owners Associations: Contact the local business or Home Owners Association responsible for a privately-maintained road. To determine if a road is public or private, contact VDOT.

Potholes are most common on roads with heavy traffic, as well as bridges and ramps. According to VDOT, "Spring temperatures warm the cold pavement, melting and evaporating any ice. This creates air pockets that can eventually cause the pavement to break up. A winter of heavy snow or rain and several freeze-thaw cycles can mean a big pothole season ahead."

Image via Gage Skidmore, Flickr, used under Creative Commons