PennDOT repairing Philadelphia potholes this week
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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.