Pittsburgh Pothole Blitz to Fill Potholes.

PennDOT’s winter maintenance workers are out in full force this weekd to try and fill as many potholes as they can.

The blitz began Monday and continued through Wednesday with crews working 12-hour shifts; taking advantage of this stretch of warm weather.

It has been reported that this is the worst year for potholes. In the last six weeks, the city’s 311 Response Center has received 3,769 pothole complaints. That is three times more than last year.

The extreme winter weather can take a toll on roads.  Potholes have developed on many roads causing trouble for drivers.  Potholes are caused by moisture in the air that penetrates cracks in the road.  During the cold weather, the water freezes and expands causing cracks in the road.  Once the water and moisture melts, a cavity is left.  These cavities then get larger from traffic running over them.  Potholes cannot be filled until weather reaches an optimal temperature and the snow stops.  Pittsburgh public works employees plan to complete a pothole blitz in the next coming days.  They plan to fill as many as they can, as fast as possible.  In the meantime, it is important to drive safely to avoid hitting a pothole.

Do your part by making sure your tires have enough air in them.  Underinflated tires are more susceptible to damage after hitting a pothole.  AAA urges drivers to make sure tires are properly inflated, and to try and drive familiar roads.  Beware of what seems to be a puddle on the road, as a puddle of water can often disguise a pothole.

You can report pothole locations to the city by calling 1-800-fix-road (1-800-349-7623) for potholes on state roads or dial 311 in Pittsburgh.

If you are reporting a pothole, make sure you are providing enough information for them to accurately find the pothole.  Road names, intersections and how safety and traffic are impacted are a few helpful pieces of information.

Recovering compensation after an accident.

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in an accident, due to an unsafe road, you should not blame yourself.  Someone could be responsible for maintaining those roads. It is important to contact a personal injury attorney to review your rights.  An attorney can help you seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Let us help you recover the compensation you need after an injury. Call Berger and Green at 412-661-1400 to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in Pittsburgh today.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “City planning blitz to fill potholes by Wednesday”