Hundreds Of Potholes Causing Trouble For Tulsa Drivers

By Craig Day, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Tulsa has had a rough go of it with winter weather, and now it's a rough ride on area roads. Oklahoma Department of Transportation crews are out, round the clock, trying to fill in the suspension-busting craters.

It's almost as bad as a dirty word.

"Potholes," said driver Paula Moses.

Just hearing it makes drivers cringe. But hearing the word potholes isn't as bad as hitting one.

"I've never seen potholes this big," said driver Nick Oviedo.

They aren't just a pain in the neck for drivers, but passengers too.

"You know your head is bounced around and you're just kind of 'whoa,'" said passenger Shane Lucas.

Whether it's on the loop around downtown or heading out of town - no matter which direction - they are everywhere.

"They're horrible," said driver Tara Casey.

ODOT doesn't like potholes any more than drivers do. Crews are out filling the craters.

"We've well over a thousand, and actually still have probably a thousand to go," said Marty Stewart, ODOT.

With so many, it's hard to keep up, and a winter with 17 inches of snow so far isn't helping.

1/5/2010 Related Story: Tulsa Public Works: Next Snow Storm Could Cripple Budget

"Nothing worse on pavement than moisture, just tears it up," Stewart said.

"It feels like you're going to have a flat every time you hit one," said Paula Moses.

ODOT knows this is just a temporary fix, but they have to do something to smooth out the rough ride.

"Trying to make the best driving surface that we can with what we've got right now," said ODOT's Marty Stewart.

"I'm just worried my shocks are going to bottom out," said Nick Oviedo, driver.

So to avoid pothole pitfalls, ODOT says slow down, watch out for highway workers and try to be patient, because the pothole season will likely run long past the end of winter. ODOT wants you to report dangerous potholes to them.

The number to call for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation is 918-838-9933[U.S. and State Highways Only].  Make sure you're as specific on the location as possible, providing things like the direction you're heading, what lane, and the nearest street or landmark.

In the city of Tulsa, you can call 596-2100 or visit the city of Tulsa web site and fill out a special form.