LARGO, Md. — Another round of snow could be coming to the D.C. region next week, and wet freezing temperatures spawn potholes, so road crews are busy patching problems before they grow.
“We actually have been filling (potholes) throughout the season, but now we’re doing what we call our ‘blitz,’ because the weather is cooperating and this is a wonderful opportunity for us to be out here,” said Paulette Jones, of the Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation.
The county fills 16,000 potholes a year on average, Jones said.
Patching pavement a shovel at a time can be a dangerous situation for a road crew if speeding drivers aren’t paying attention.
“We have our crew out here and we have signs saying ‘Slow,’ and even with that, motorists are still driving extremely fast,” Jones said to WTOP. On a recent afternoon, cars indeed sped by.
“We’re out there trying to ensure the safety of the roadways by filling the potholes, but we need to assure the safety of the crews as well,” she added.
Slowing down for work zones is a universal message. Jurisdictions regionwide also want you to report potholes, and WTOP has compiled a list of contacts to do so in your area.
To report a pothole:
- D.C.: Call 311, email potholepalooza@dc.gov or tweet to @ddotdc
- Maryland State Highway Administration: Report online
- Virginia Department of Transportation: Report online or call: 800-367-7623
- Alexandria, Virginia: Report online or call 703-746-4488
- Arlington, Virginia: Report online
- Howard County, Maryland: Email highway@howardcountymd.gov
- Anne Arundel County, Maryland: Report online or call 410-222-7045
- Calvert County, Maryland: Email public.works@co.cal.md.us or call 410-535-0905 or 410-535-0906
- Charles County, Maryland: Call 800-595-7623
- Fairfax City, Virginia: Email WeCare@fairfaxva.gov or call 703-385-7810
- Fairfax County/Northern Virginia: Visit the potholes page
- Frederick County, Maryland: Report online, email OHighOpsEmail@FrederickCountyMD.gov or call 301-600-1564
- Montgomery County, Maryland: Report online
- Prince George’s County, Maryland: Visit the potholes page
- St. Mary’s County, Maryland: Report online or call 301-863-8400
- Other Md. Jurisdictions
