Drivers Can Help The City Of Tulsa's Pothole Patrol

By Craig Day, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Tulsa drivers are being pummeled by potholes as the winter storms cause an avalanche of issues on area roads. While driving conditions are improving, pothole problems are getting worse, meaning 2009 will go out with a bang – and a bump. 

The hazards of driving on snow and ice are now replaced with other hazards. The winter weather is leaving behind a bone jarring, alignment busting obstacle course of potholes on area roads.

"It's really bad, and the snow is going to make it worse," said Tulsa driver Wayne Keith.

"They're bad," agreed Hulbert resident Rogers Tobbs. 

"Probably one about three foot in diameter, and probably three or four inches deep and you know, that's a pretty good hole," Keith said.

"Probably after it's all over, everybody will be getting our front ends aligned," Tobbs said.

While the plows are winding down, pothole patrols are gearing up on Tulsa streets.

"Water does more damage to the Earth than any other physical force on the planet, and the same is reflected on our roadways," said Paul Strizek of Tulsa Public Works.

Find Out Current Road Conditions

Crews are filling the craters with a special asphalt mix that fares better in cold weather. Oklahoma's roller coaster of freeze/thaw cycles makes it a tough task.

"Water gets down in the cracks: it freezes, breaks up the pavement then it thaws, freezes, breaks up the pavement. It's a very destructive process," Strizek said.

ODOT crews are also out filling dozens of potholes, and the weather isn't helping.

"Temporary until we get more suitable weather for us to get in there and make a more permanent repair," ODOT's Marty Stewart said of the process.

They'll keep working and filling the holes, one shovel full at a time while crews and drivers hope for a break from any more pothole-causing weather for a while.

"I hate them," said Tina Brown, Tulsa driver.

The City of Tulsa wants to know about the really bad potholes so they can fill them. To report them, call the Mayor's Action Center at 596-2100 or file a pothole report online on the city's web site.

Report Potholes To City Of Tulsa Online