See a Pothole? Give MassDOT a Call

Pothole season is here, and MassDOT crews are out today and every day this time of year throughout the Commonwealth, repairing potholes that can damage vehicles and delay traffic.  We appreciate the public's help each year in telling us about pothole problems so that repairs are made as quickly as possible.

Just today MassDOT is repairing potholes during midday hours on the I-93 northbound bridge decks between Exit 15 in Boston to Exit 33 by the Medford/Stoneham line. 

Potholes result from the freeze-thaw cycle.  Water from snow and rain seeps into small cracks in the roadway surface.  As temperatures drop, the water freezes and expands, making the cracks bigger.  Additional freezing and thawing will make these cracks larger until eventually, potholes form.
Heavy traffic, pavement age, vehicle weights, and snow and ice operations also contribute to the problem.

Crews make two types of repairs, depending on temperature and road conditions.  A temporary "cold patch" is used at lower temperatures.  Hot mix asphalt is applied at higher temperatures as a long-term fix.

MassDOT works closely with public safety officers and city and town officials to monitor potholes.  We also receive reports from drivers every day.  If you see a pothole, please call MassDOT at 617-973-7800.   We'll get a crew out to repair it as soon as possible.  MassDOT online contact information is here.

Comments

[mai hien]

The Route 28 Bridge in Lawrence (Both sides of bridge, But Southbound lane is especially bad). Thanks.
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Thanks, reported to the district Highway office and as of Friday, October 28 AM, potholes have been repaired.

[Tongue Piercing]

'm happy I found this blog, explaining everything in detail regarding the topic. We can benefit from these articles and I wish we do not have a language barrier. Although perhaps slow, but there is noticable steady movement and improvement. I Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

[AMT - Stands for A MA TAXPAYER!]

What is going on with the Jamaica Way/Riverway paving? Why has this been down to grooved pavement for more than 2 weeks!? This road is already overwhelmed and now to have drivers narrowing to one lane in many cases to avoid raised manhole covers and potholes, you are really stressing the system - and our patience.

And to top it off, pothole after pothole has opened up on the less substantive material. I mean SEVERAL LARGE potholes on the in and out bound sides -- like cavernous *6-8 inches deep, 2 feet in diameter* potholes.

Earlier this year I enjoyed a flat tire care of your unmaintained roadways -- and the subsequent "not our road, that's so and so's road" rigamarole when I filed for reimbursement.

Do your job and get out there and pave it! What is the hold up?

Same goes for the one block stretch in Cottage Farm. Why are you leaving these roads unpaved for weeks on end? Are the construction workers on vacation with Congress?

[Charlie W]

After hitting two potholes on 95 and the overpass onto 128, I now have had to spend over $850 on new struts springs, shocks and alignment.
They have fixed several of the ones under the Neponset St bridge, but the one on the overpass has been fixed several times and keeps coming back. Ive seen countless cars off to the side with flat tires. Today nearly seven of them with a work crew trying once again to fix it.
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Thanks. We have an overnight crew addressing the bridge pothole issue tonight.

[Fußbodenversiegelung]

The best route. Route 24 is like a mine field.

[CJM]

Please fix the pot holes in Salem! Bridge st, washington st, canal st, jefferson ave, and nearly all connecting streets to these need some SERIOUS work. I live on Northey st, right off from bridge st, and in front of it there are absolute monster pot holes, 4ft+ plus in depth. My 2009 mazda had to get new roaters, wheel bearings, and a new engine mount (it cracked! literally cracked!) from all the pot holes! Thanks.
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Thanks, forwarded to our district office in the area and on to the municipality, depending on jurisdiction.

[Jeremy]

Hehe, V, you are totally right. 24 is really the worst.

[Versiegelung]

Route 24 is like a mine field. Thats good

[chat]

What a helpful post really will be coming back to this time and time again. Thanks ..

[mary coughlin]

Why doesn't the state reimburse for damages caused by pot holes. I thought the gas tax was for that reason.

[car shipping]

93 north, aproaching exit 29, the exit only lane is like the Gaza Strip. There are about a dozen pretty bad ones before the last sign, and then there's a hole to China right as you get off the exit, driver's side. Seriously thought I was going to lose a lower control arm.

[Joanne Abate-Fantasia]

Please fix the potholes on 93 North, between exit 28 and 29. My tire rims were distroyed! It's really BAD!!

Thank you!

[Tony]

93 north, aproaching exit 29, the exit only lane is like the Gaza Strip. There are about a dozen pretty bad ones before the last sign, and then there's a hole to China right as you get off the exit, driver's side. Seriously thought I was going to lose a lower control arm.

[Englisch Deutsch Übersetzung]

Because of a pothole the windshield of my car was broken :(

[C. Stelmach]

There is huge pothole on Mystic Ave, middle lane, prior to going onto the 93N overpass.

This is ridiculous. Please get someone out to fix.
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Forwarded, thanks

[Gi]

Braintree on ramp to Rt 93 south , where ramp connects to Rt 3. Called about this a few months ago.
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Sent to our district office there, thank you.

[Car Transportation]

Yeah. Route 24 is like a mine field.

[Linda O.]

Terrible potholes on 93N in the Medford/Stoneham area at the overpasses. Be careful...damaged a tire at one of them!
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Your report is appreciated and has been forwarded to the pothole repair crews in that district area. They are out each day this time of year making temporary and permanent pothole repairs. Thank you.
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MassDOT Update: Linda, we're told the work on the northbound side will resume very shortly for a permanent fix. In the meantime, our contractor will review the bridges in the interim and make any temporary repairs to any bad spots on the decks. thanks again for contacting us.

[David Gianino]

I ride motorcycles and NONE of the major roadways in Mass are safe for riding. 3+ inch deep holes all around 95/93/128/Rt 3. Its like I am riding a slolom wherever I go. Unacceptable.

[John B.]

The Route 28 Bridge in Lawrence (Both sides of bridge, But Southbound lane is especially bad). Thanks.

[d]

westtfield ma the whole city!

[Jg]

All of route 24, Thanks