Potholes Plague City Of Tulsa After Winter Storm

Tara Vreeland, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Tulsa's streets have been taking a beating over the past two weeks. And now, the war wounds are showing.

Potholes aren't a new problem, but new ones are popping up. Two crews started filling potholes as soon as the snow was cleared by Saturday.

Potholes are a constant problem, but they are made worse by moisture and dramatic temperatures. And we've had our fair share of both.

Shaking off winter's worst, and gritting our teeth when driving over the potholes left behind.

"Yes there is a bunch of them. A bunch of bad ones. Pretty deep. People driving should keep a look out because they will bust a tire. We're taking care of it as fast as we can," said Sam Cotton of Tulsa Public Works Department.

Yes, potholes. The pesky problems are popping up everywhere, turning an urban drive into a brain rattling, vehicle damaging adventure.

Cotton said 50 to 75 potholes have been reported so far. "No not normal but after a storm that big it's pretty bad," he said.

"You are going to find a few everywhere. We try to attack the bigger ones," said Public Works Manager Tim McCorkell.

Potholes form when moisture seeps into the cracks of the road, it freezes and then thaws, weakening the asphalt.

"You have to clean out, fill it up, pack it down, get it ready for traffic because once they hit it, make sure it's smooth enough for them to go by," Cotton said.

"It depends on the type of material and how large the pothole actually is. Can range anywhere from three to nine dollars per pot hole," McCorkell said.

No one likes a pothole, but beyond their annoyance, they can also damage vehicles. Not to mention the hazard they pose to drivers.

If you see a particularly large or dangerous pothole, or unfortunately hit one, call the Mayor's Action Center at 918-596-2100.

You can also report the potholes online.