10-03-2025
PennDOT repairing Philadelphia potholes this week
Pennsylvania transportation officials are out in force this week fixing potholes on highways across metro Philly.
Why it matters: Potholes can cause heavy vehicle damage, and good luck getting reimbursed for those costs: The state generally has immunity from pothole damage lawsuits.
Driving the news: Crews begin patching potholes this week along 60 state highways, including I-95, I-676 and Roosevelt Boulevard, plus many spots in the suburbs.
Zoom in: The Philadelphia list also includes:
Route 3 (Walnut Street)
Route 63 (Woodhaven Road)
Route 291 (Penrose Avenue)
Market Street
Castor Avenue
Aramingo Avenue
Rhawn Street
Welsh Avenue
Spring Garden Street
Baltimore Avenue
Oregon Avenue
What they're saying: The transportation agency says it deals with pothole issues year-round, using cold patches to fix them in colder weather.
Warmer temperatures allow PennDOT to ramp up efforts, making this operation somewhat of a yearly rite of passage.
The big picture: Pennsylvania ranks 11th among states with the worst pothole problems, per a USA Today analysis
Potholes are among the most complained about nuisances to Philly's 311 line.
Last year, PennDOT spent $5.7 million fixing potholes in Philly and its collar counties.
How it works: Pennsylvania is prone to potholes because of the state's fluctuating weather patterns.
Freezing and thawing means moisture seeps into microscopic pores on roadway surfaces.
Water freezes and expands, causing asphalt to shift and destabilize. The weight of vehicles causes those compromised surfaces to collapse.
By the numbers: In 2025, PennDOT has already received more than 2,100 complaints about potholes through March 7.
You can report potholes here.
