MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – After a month of ice and snow that blanketed Middle Tennessee, requiring the application of tons of salt on City streets and plowing of major roadways, potholes inevitably appear. As always, freezing and refreezing contributes to the problem. And, as always, City crews will be out on the street repairing potholes. 

If you see a pothole that needs attention, please notify the City Street Department with information so crews can quickly respond to the location and make repairs. Motorists are encouraged to slow down when approaching Street crews working pothole repair on busy roadways.

To report a pothole, call the Street Department at 615-893-4380 during business hours from 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. When you see or drive over a pothole, make sure you pull over to a safe location to make the call. Please provide the street location address, nearest cross street or block address, your name, phone number and e-mail address.

During the past weeks, City Street crews worked in 12-hour shifts responding to major winter storms. These same employees are now heading out on City streets repairing potholes.

“We have teams of employees who are trained in pothole repair. They are ready to mobilize when citizens advise of dangerous potholes,” said Public Works Department Executive Director Raymond Hillis. “Patching potholes and repairing our streets as quickly as possible is essential in our efforts to keep motorists’ safe and reduce vehicle damage.”

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Potholes are formed when water that has seeped into the road freezes, expands and melts, loosening the pavement.  When vehicles drive over these spots, the impact further loosens the road, creating a hole.  The mixture of water, salt and ice contributes to the pothole conditions.

The Street Department is committed to the goal of responding to reported potholes within two business days. If it is too cold for the asphalt to adhere to the surface, the road is wet, or materials and equipment are not available, it can take longer.

The Street Department uses a “cold-mix” asphalt, a temporary fix especially suited for winter weather.  Temporary fix is a blend of small stone and liquid asphalt and is not designed for permanent repair. Once the asphalt plants open in late March/April (weather permitting) a more permanent repair can be made with “hot mix” of heated asphalt material with a stronger lasting bond. Street crew also utilize a patch truck that mixes emulsion and stone for a permanent fix. Both methods will be utilized due to the larger amount of damage to city roads this season.

To keep Street crews safe, citizens are urged to obey mobile work zone signs and observe the following:

- Stay alert and minimize distractions
- Don’t tailgate
- Merge into proper lane safely
- Don’t speed
- And Be patient