They’re trying to help you: Slow down for road crews filling potholes

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.

Paulette Jones, of the Prince George's County Department of Public Works and Transportation, said, "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." (WTOP/Kristi King) — Paulette Jones, of the Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation, said, “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.” (WTOP/Kristi King)

The county fills 16,000 potholes a year on average, Jones said. (WTOP/Kristi King)

"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. (WTOP/Kristi King) — “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. (WTOP/Kristi King)

(1/3)

Share This Gallery:

“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