Let’s be honest, nothing screams “welcome to New York” like swerving around a crater in the middle of the highway while trying not to spill your Dunkin’. If you’ve ever felt your soul leave your body after hitting a pothole at 45 mph, this one’s for you.
Here’s the wild part: most New Yorkers don’t know that the state actually has a hotline for that.
How Potholes Happen
Potholes are what happens when water gets into the cracks in worn-out pavement, freezes, expands, and basically makes the road fall apart. Add in heavy traffic, sunshine, sleet, salt, snowplows, and temperature swings, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a bumpy mess.
In winter, crews use a cold patch asphalt mix to temporarily fill holes, while permanent repairs are made when the construction season hits.
How the 1-800-POTHOLE Hotline Works
1-800-POTHOLE is a real number, and it’s here to help you report those rim-wrecking, tire-tearing, coffee-spilling road craters. Officially, it’s 1-800-768-4653, and it connects you directly to the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT)…