The other day my grandson, who lives in Indiana, called me from his car while he was running errands…just to keep in touch. We had a nice but rather unusual conversation about – you’ll never guess it – potholes.
The title of the blog gave it away, huh?
The title of the blog gave it away, huh?
I assumed he had just experienced some potholes in the street which brought the subject to mind, but he asked me what I thought about them. After thirty-five years working in government land use planning, I am more knowledgeable on the subject than most 84-year-old grandmothers. We discussed truck traffic, weather, and all the many hours I’d sat through planning commission and city council hearings listening to the public complain about potholes…which is about equal to the number of hours of complaints about leaf blowers. Finally he said he thought I might do a blog about it.
Say what? The thought had never once occurred to me!
Yet here I am, trying to find a way of making this subject, which concerns and angers many people yet is deadly dull and uninteresting, into something readable.
THE UBIQUITOUS POTHOLE
Most living adults know what a pothole is. These common nuisances exist throughout the world, disrupting smooth drives and often leading to vehicle damage, costly repairs, and potential liabilities. Furthermore, repairing potholes can lead to significant expenses and inconvenience caused by having sections of a parking lot or roadway closed off for repairs.
Say what? The thought had never once occurred to me!
Yet here I am, trying to find a way of making this subject, which concerns and angers many people yet is deadly dull and uninteresting, into something readable.
THE UBIQUITOUS POTHOLE
Most living adults know what a pothole is. These common nuisances exist throughout the world, disrupting smooth drives and often leading to vehicle damage, costly repairs, and potential liabilities. Furthermore, repairing potholes can lead to significant expenses and inconvenience caused by having sections of a parking lot or roadway closed off for repairs.
 Image Credit: O de R // Shutterstock Image Source: stacker.com/most-pothole- complaints |  Image Credit: Vadim Lukin // Shutterstock Image Source: stacker.com/most-pothole- complaints |
And no one seems to be a big fan. In fact, “the word pothole is universally despised by both public works agencies and the citizens they serve.” apwa.org/insights/the-us-pothole-problem.
THE HISTORY OF POTHOLES
Mind-boggling as it may seem, potholes have a history…an ancient one at that. They have been around “since the dawn of time.” nationaltoday.com/national-pothole-day
Whether or not the “dawn of time” is a stretch, certain pertinent events have been recorded since then, after humans discovered the wheel and learned to write.
Origin of the Word
This word seems to be pure Anglo-Saxon. The word "pothole" is a compound of the Middle-English words "pot" (meaning "hole") and "hole" (meaning, unsurprisingly, "hole").
"Pot" originally referred to a hole in the ground: a more or less cylindrical cavity from a few inches to several feet deep in rock (1826), originally a geological feature in glaciers and gravel beds. "Pothole" was originally used to describe holes in the ground that were created naturally, such as those caused by erosion or subsidence
Origin of the Terminology
In the 1400s/1500s, pottery makers in what is now England, “took advantage of the ruts carved into roadways by wagon and coach wheels. They would dig further into these deep ruts to uncover clay deposits beneath in their search for a cost-effective source of raw materials for crafting clay pots. Teamsters who drove wagons and coaches across the roads were aware of who or what produced the holes, which is why they called them ‘pot-holes.’” nationaltoday.com/national-pothole-day
THE HISTORY OF POTHOLES
Mind-boggling as it may seem, potholes have a history…an ancient one at that. They have been around “since the dawn of time.” nationaltoday.com/national-pothole-day
Whether or not the “dawn of time” is a stretch, certain pertinent events have been recorded since then, after humans discovered the wheel and learned to write.
Origin of the Word
This word seems to be pure Anglo-Saxon. The word "pothole" is a compound of the Middle-English words "pot" (meaning "hole") and "hole" (meaning, unsurprisingly, "hole").
"Pot" originally referred to a hole in the ground: a more or less cylindrical cavity from a few inches to several feet deep in rock (1826), originally a geological feature in glaciers and gravel beds. "Pothole" was originally used to describe holes in the ground that were created naturally, such as those caused by erosion or subsidence
Origin of the Terminology
In the 1400s/1500s, pottery makers in what is now England, “took advantage of the ruts carved into roadways by wagon and coach wheels. They would dig further into these deep ruts to uncover clay deposits beneath in their search for a cost-effective source of raw materials for crafting clay pots. Teamsters who drove wagons and coaches across the roads were aware of who or what produced the holes, which is why they called them ‘pot-holes.’” nationaltoday.com/national-pothole-day
In 1884, a coal miner discovered the 42-feet wide and 38-feet deep Archbald Pothole in eastern part of Pennsylvania. The Archbald pothole is now a state park. American ingenuity can make a tourist attraction out of anything.
◄ Image Source: visitepa.org
By 1909, the British term had become a staple of American English.
WHAT CAUSES POTHOLES?
While most discussions focus on those occurring in streets paved with asphalt, dirt roads and roads build of gravel or paving stone, fall prey to the hazard. Even reinforced concrete is at risk, although this is about the toughest material used for paving. It is most often plagued by cracks or buckling, which can develop into potholes.
● Wear and tear on the roads from traffic, not just in volume but in weight and frequency, has a significant impact on breaking down the material any road is made of.
◄ Image Source: visitepa.org
By 1909, the British term had become a staple of American English.
WHAT CAUSES POTHOLES?
While most discussions focus on those occurring in streets paved with asphalt, dirt roads and roads build of gravel or paving stone, fall prey to the hazard. Even reinforced concrete is at risk, although this is about the toughest material used for paving. It is most often plagued by cracks or buckling, which can develop into potholes.
● Wear and tear on the roads from traffic, not just in volume but in weight and frequency, has a significant impact on breaking down the material any road is made of.
Federal highway officials cast an “evil eye” on the unexpectedly heavy pounding delivered by American traffic, in particular behemoth 18-wheelers. Many U.S. roadways carry three or even four times their design weights.
◄ Image Credit and source: Alamay.com
● Age and maintenance are other factors. Over time, as road paving materials age, they become more susceptible to cracking. Eventually all paving materials can crack, exposing the base to the weather. Ongoing and timely maintenance can extend the life of the roadway and help keep it free of potholes.
● Water is the biggest culprit. Potholes form primarily due to water seeping into the pavement and weakening the soil beneath. Cracks allow more water infiltration and and subsequent pothole development.
◄ Image Credit and source: Alamay.com
● Age and maintenance are other factors. Over time, as road paving materials age, they become more susceptible to cracking. Eventually all paving materials can crack, exposing the base to the weather. Ongoing and timely maintenance can extend the life of the roadway and help keep it free of potholes.
● Water is the biggest culprit. Potholes form primarily due to water seeping into the pavement and weakening the soil beneath. Cracks allow more water infiltration and and subsequent pothole development.
 Image credit: kolt_duo // Shutterstock Image Source: stacker.com/states-most-pothole-complaints |  Image credit and source: Dreamtime.com |
Colder locations, where snow and ice form, are even more affected by the freeze-thaw cycle. When the water freezes and expands, it puts pressure on the paving material, creating a void which gets bigger as the cycle continues through the winter, resulting in subsurface hollow spaces beneath the pavement.
These voids compromise the structural integrity of the surface, making it more susceptible to damage under the pressure of passing vehicles. Eventually the pavement deteriorates leading to the formation of a cavity under the surface. Traffic over these weakened voids causes the material to collapse, forming a pothole which gets bigger and deeper unless properly maintained.
These voids compromise the structural integrity of the surface, making it more susceptible to damage under the pressure of passing vehicles. Eventually the pavement deteriorates leading to the formation of a cavity under the surface. Traffic over these weakened voids causes the material to collapse, forming a pothole which gets bigger and deeper unless properly maintained.
 Cracked concrete road Image Credit /source: Dreamtime.com |  |  |
WHY AREN’T POTHOLES FIXED RIGHT AWAY?
Think about it. Do you fix everything at your home as soon as it needs maintenance or replacing? Maybe a lot of smaller things, but not everything, particularly expensive items like a new roof, jack-hammering out a cracked driveway, or replacing fifty feet of eight-foot high retaining wall. Most people can’t do everything at once, and the government entities which are responsible for roads are in the same situation. You pick and choose based on many factors.
● Cost and Competition for Funds
Money is tight and the needs are many, even for governments. Generally speaking, the public tends to believe that all government does is spend tax money so why don’t they fix the streets. Just like families, money doesn’t go as far as it used to and dollars are tight at all levels of government. And like everything else, the costs to fill potholes and maintain streets have gone up.
Some jurisdictions choose to save money in the long run by making long-term repairs to likely pothole hotspots rather than wait to patch them after they’ve become a problem. “It is an issue of dollars available. A good proportion of America’s roads need resurfacing, but transportation departments simply don’t have the funding to do that.”
stateline.org/2018/potholes-cities
● Unreported Potholes
Sometimes potholes don’t get reported. People may believe that surely someone has complained the the government agency, but not necessarily. And sometimes people don't know which agency is actually responsible for that piece of roadway and report to the wrong one.
Think about it. Do you fix everything at your home as soon as it needs maintenance or replacing? Maybe a lot of smaller things, but not everything, particularly expensive items like a new roof, jack-hammering out a cracked driveway, or replacing fifty feet of eight-foot high retaining wall. Most people can’t do everything at once, and the government entities which are responsible for roads are in the same situation. You pick and choose based on many factors.
● Cost and Competition for Funds
Money is tight and the needs are many, even for governments. Generally speaking, the public tends to believe that all government does is spend tax money so why don’t they fix the streets. Just like families, money doesn’t go as far as it used to and dollars are tight at all levels of government. And like everything else, the costs to fill potholes and maintain streets have gone up.
Some jurisdictions choose to save money in the long run by making long-term repairs to likely pothole hotspots rather than wait to patch them after they’ve become a problem. “It is an issue of dollars available. A good proportion of America’s roads need resurfacing, but transportation departments simply don’t have the funding to do that.”
stateline.org/2018/potholes-cities
● Unreported Potholes
Sometimes potholes don’t get reported. People may believe that surely someone has complained the the government agency, but not necessarily. And sometimes people don't know which agency is actually responsible for that piece of roadway and report to the wrong one.
● Scheduling
So many potholes, so little time; so few crews.
Image Credit: Grossinger // Shutterstock
Image Source: stacker.com/states-most-pothole-complaints
● Weather
As recent years have emphasized, we are at the mercy of the weather, and much of the US has suffered severely from such natural events. Not only does a cold climate make roads more susceptible to potholes, but it limits the hours and locations where they can be repaired.
During the warmer months, hot asphalt can be manufactured and delivered to repair the holes. During the winter months (October through March or April), asphalt plants are typically closed in cities like Minneapolis. Instead, the city uses “cold mix,” a temporary solution until the warm weather returns and asphalt plants reopen.
Is that uninteresting enough for you? Kudos if you are still awake and got this far.
TOP15 STATES WITH THE MOST POTHOLE COMPLAINTS
In search of something interesting about potholes, I came across an article written by Brian Budzynski and posted in February 2022 by stacker.com/ which lists the number of pothole complaints by state. Below are the top fifteen from the post giving the number of pothole complaints for every 621 miles of roadway. With all the snow and flooding this year, the numbers of complaints will rise along with the water.
15. Michigan: 7.7 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
Surprisingly few considering that In this state, drivers can apply for reimbursement for repairs needed to their vehicles as a result of a run-in with a pothole.
14. Illinois: 7.8 complaints / 621 miles of roadway.
Even with the second-highest gas tax rate in the country, funds for which go toward infrastructure maintenance, Illinois just can’t seem to get a handle on this problem.
13. Nevada: 7.9 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
12. Georgia: 9.5 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
An Atlanta driver recently encountered car-sized potholes on I-85 that resulted in thousands of dollars of damage to his car. Other drivers have reported potholes the size of swimming pools.
11. Louisiana: 11 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
In one case, a local resident sat right along a pothole edge like he was dangling his legs in a pool.
10. Florida: 11.4 complaints / 621 miles of roadway.
One Florida resident planted a banana tree in a pothole outside his business, just to send a message. A different Florida solution is to paint yellow lines around the hole to warn drivers.
So many potholes, so little time; so few crews.
Image Credit: Grossinger // Shutterstock
Image Source: stacker.com/states-most-pothole-complaints
● Weather
As recent years have emphasized, we are at the mercy of the weather, and much of the US has suffered severely from such natural events. Not only does a cold climate make roads more susceptible to potholes, but it limits the hours and locations where they can be repaired.
During the warmer months, hot asphalt can be manufactured and delivered to repair the holes. During the winter months (October through March or April), asphalt plants are typically closed in cities like Minneapolis. Instead, the city uses “cold mix,” a temporary solution until the warm weather returns and asphalt plants reopen.
Is that uninteresting enough for you? Kudos if you are still awake and got this far.
TOP15 STATES WITH THE MOST POTHOLE COMPLAINTS
In search of something interesting about potholes, I came across an article written by Brian Budzynski and posted in February 2022 by stacker.com/ which lists the number of pothole complaints by state. Below are the top fifteen from the post giving the number of pothole complaints for every 621 miles of roadway. With all the snow and flooding this year, the numbers of complaints will rise along with the water.
15. Michigan: 7.7 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
Surprisingly few considering that In this state, drivers can apply for reimbursement for repairs needed to their vehicles as a result of a run-in with a pothole.
14. Illinois: 7.8 complaints / 621 miles of roadway.
Even with the second-highest gas tax rate in the country, funds for which go toward infrastructure maintenance, Illinois just can’t seem to get a handle on this problem.
13. Nevada: 7.9 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
12. Georgia: 9.5 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
An Atlanta driver recently encountered car-sized potholes on I-85 that resulted in thousands of dollars of damage to his car. Other drivers have reported potholes the size of swimming pools.
11. Louisiana: 11 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
In one case, a local resident sat right along a pothole edge like he was dangling his legs in a pool.
10. Florida: 11.4 complaints / 621 miles of roadway.
One Florida resident planted a banana tree in a pothole outside his business, just to send a message. A different Florida solution is to paint yellow lines around the hole to warn drivers.
 |  |
Image Credit: WINK-TV Image Credit: Flystock// Shutterstock
Image Source: fox13news.com Image Source: stacker.com/most-pothole-complaints
Image Source: fox13news.com Image Source: stacker.com/most-pothole-complaints
9. Connecticut: 12 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
One resident declared on Twitter that “My favorite Connecticut pastime is dodging potholes.”
8. Pennsylvania: 15.4 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
This state has the second-worst bridge condition situation in the country and with more than 50% of statewide roads not even maintained enough to call “fair,” naturally, a pothole problem is going to follow.
7. Maryland: 15.5 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
Leaders are talking about tax cuts and more spending on law enforcement—but as for road repair, state is devoting more than half of its $16.4 capital budget to maintaining degraded roads and other infrastructure.
6. New Jersey: 16.5 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
The average additional cost to drivers in vehicle damage is referred to as a "New Jersey pothole tax."
5. California: 18.4 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
The mayor of Vallejo, California, had to recently ask residents to stop fixing potholes themselves, claiming such “pothole vigilantism” presented a liability problem.
One resident declared on Twitter that “My favorite Connecticut pastime is dodging potholes.”
8. Pennsylvania: 15.4 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
This state has the second-worst bridge condition situation in the country and with more than 50% of statewide roads not even maintained enough to call “fair,” naturally, a pothole problem is going to follow.
7. Maryland: 15.5 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
Leaders are talking about tax cuts and more spending on law enforcement—but as for road repair, state is devoting more than half of its $16.4 capital budget to maintaining degraded roads and other infrastructure.
6. New Jersey: 16.5 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
The average additional cost to drivers in vehicle damage is referred to as a "New Jersey pothole tax."
5. California: 18.4 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
The mayor of Vallejo, California, had to recently ask residents to stop fixing potholes themselves, claiming such “pothole vigilantism” presented a liability problem.
 |  |
| Vallejo, CA “citizen vigilantes” -- Image Credit: mercurynews.com Image Source: www.reddit.com/vallejo |
4. Massachusetts: 18.7 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
Boston is among the cities with the most pothole complaints, with an average of 303 anger-venting tweets per 1,000 km of road.
3. New York: 20.5 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
The national transportation non-profit, TRIP, estimates New York drivers are losing in extra vehicle operating costs due to deteriorated and congested roads, as well as roads that lack appropriate safety features. This breaks down to more than $3,000 per driver.
Boston is among the cities with the most pothole complaints, with an average of 303 anger-venting tweets per 1,000 km of road.
3. New York: 20.5 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
The national transportation non-profit, TRIP, estimates New York drivers are losing in extra vehicle operating costs due to deteriorated and congested roads, as well as roads that lack appropriate safety features. This breaks down to more than $3,000 per driver.
 |  |
Image Credit: rapideye Image Credit: Andriy Blokhin // Shutterstock
Image Source: istockphoto image source: stacker.com/most-pothole-complaints
Image Source: istockphoto image source: stacker.com/most-pothole-complaints
2. Hawaii: 20.6 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
Despite having fewer roadway miles than any other state per capita, the generally underbuilt road system has resulted in one-third of roads being in poor condition.
1. Rhode Island: 23.4 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
The smallest geographic state takes the “bituminous taco” of having the most pothole complaints. Some refer to Rhode Island as "The Pothole State."
The article lists all fifty states, if you are interested. The state with the least complaints is Idaho with only 0.4 complaints per 621 miles of road.
NATIONAL POTHOLE DAY
National Pothole Day, January 15, is an observance day created to focus attention on the ever growing problem of potholes. Below are the ways two people chose to increase awareness.
Despite having fewer roadway miles than any other state per capita, the generally underbuilt road system has resulted in one-third of roads being in poor condition.
1. Rhode Island: 23.4 complaints / 621 miles of roadway
The smallest geographic state takes the “bituminous taco” of having the most pothole complaints. Some refer to Rhode Island as "The Pothole State."
The article lists all fifty states, if you are interested. The state with the least complaints is Idaho with only 0.4 complaints per 621 miles of road.
NATIONAL POTHOLE DAY
National Pothole Day, January 15, is an observance day created to focus attention on the ever growing problem of potholes. Below are the ways two people chose to increase awareness.
 |  |
Image Credit: Peretz Partensky Image Credit: Malachy Quinn
Image Source: Highways.today.com Image Source: cyclingmagazine.ca.com
This approach may not be for all of us, but there are things which most drivers could do. Suggestions include:
● Raising awareness
● Leave your car at home when you can. Walking is good for you, or take a bus.
● Learn more and share what you know.
JUST SAYIN'
Is this dull enough for you? This is probably all you’ll ever want to know about potholes.
Sources:
https://stateline.org/2018/06/18/to-combat-potholes-cities-turn-to-technology/
https://stacker.com/stories/government/states-most-pothole-complaints
https://pavingfinder.com/expert-advice/what-causes-potholes/
https://mcconnellassociates.org/how-do-potholes-form-understanding-the-causes-and-prevention/
https://time.com/archive/6720166/why-america-has-so-many-potholes/
https://www.apwa.org/insights-and-solutions/the-us-pothole-problem/
https://www.assetpanda.com/resource-center/blog/why-do-potholes-take-so-long-to-fix/
https://tripnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Transportation-Funding-Fact-Sheet-March-2022.pdf
https://newsroom.aaa.com/2022/03/aaa-potholes-pack-a-punch-as-drivers-pay-26-5-billion-in-related-vehicle-repairs/
https://nationaltoday.com/national-pothole-day/
https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/150494/why-are-pot-holes-called-pot-holes
https://www.thecollector.com/why-roman-roads-dont-have-potholes/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archbald_Pothole_State_Park
end
Image Source: Highways.today.com Image Source: cyclingmagazine.ca.com
This approach may not be for all of us, but there are things which most drivers could do. Suggestions include:
● Raising awareness
● Leave your car at home when you can. Walking is good for you, or take a bus.
● Learn more and share what you know.
JUST SAYIN'
Is this dull enough for you? This is probably all you’ll ever want to know about potholes.
Sources:
https://stateline.org/2018/06/18/to-combat-potholes-cities-turn-to-technology/
https://stacker.com/stories/government/states-most-pothole-complaints
https://pavingfinder.com/expert-advice/what-causes-potholes/
https://mcconnellassociates.org/how-do-potholes-form-understanding-the-causes-and-prevention/
https://time.com/archive/6720166/why-america-has-so-many-potholes/
https://www.apwa.org/insights-and-solutions/the-us-pothole-problem/
https://www.assetpanda.com/resource-center/blog/why-do-potholes-take-so-long-to-fix/
https://tripnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Transportation-Funding-Fact-Sheet-March-2022.pdf
https://newsroom.aaa.com/2022/03/aaa-potholes-pack-a-punch-as-drivers-pay-26-5-billion-in-related-vehicle-repairs/
https://nationaltoday.com/national-pothole-day/
https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/150494/why-are-pot-holes-called-pot-holes
https://www.thecollector.com/why-roman-roads-dont-have-potholes/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archbald_Pothole_State_Park
end
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