Got Potholes? How to Report A Pothole In North Hempstead

In the wake of the brutal winter weather in the region, tire-hungry potholes are proliferating and pockmarking roadways as quickly as crews repair them.

Although potholes are usually inevitable, drivers can report them to officials to get them repaired. Many residents, who would otherwise get a flat tire or a damaged car, will thank you for your diligence.

• Which streets have the worst potholes? Tell us in the comments below!

To report potholes on roads in the Town of North Hempstead, call 311 or 516-869-6311 to notify the highway department of the pothole's location. Pothole repair requests can also be submitted through the "My North Hempstead" mobile app.

• To report potholes on state roads, contact the New York State Department of Transportation at 1.800.POTHOLE (1-800-768-4653).

The Town's Highway Department fills potholes with hot asphalt, which is stored inside one of six "hot boxes" that are pulled behind Highway trucks. These "hot boxes" essentially serve as ovens to keep the asphalt at the proper temperature of about 300 degrees. The holes are prepared by highway crews by removing any loose debris, and then shovel in the hot mixture, followed by rolling it with a one-ton steam roller.

Potholes result as water from snow and rain seeps into small cracks in the roadway surface, according to state highway officials. As temperatures drop, the water freezes and expands, making the cracks larger until potholes form. Heavy traffic, pavement age, vehicle weights, and snow and ice operations contribute to the problem.

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