Pothole repairs will take place this weekend

Public Works staff will be out in force this weekend around the city, repairing potholes that have sprung up as a result of the cold weather and precipitation that have pummeled the city in recent weeks.

With high temperatures in the 50s predicted, conditions should be favorable for crews to be able to take care of a number of the potholes, according to a city press release.

Citizens are asked to use caution and drive safely when maneuvering around crews filling potholes or performing other tasks.

Earlier this week, crews treated 111 potholes just on Monday and Tuesday, using almost 14 tons of asphalt in the process, according to the press release.

Priority is given to larger, more severe potholes on primary roads, then to similarly sized ones on secondary roads. Crews then move to smaller ones on primary roads and then smaller ones on secondary and neighborhood roads.

Potholes develop when water gets into the asphalt through weak spots or small cracks, expands and freezes, then melts, weakening the pavement. Vehicles driving over the weak spot break up the pavement and kick it out piece by piece.

Citizens can report a pothole by visiting www.suffolkva.us and clicking on the “Report Roadway Issues” button on the city’s homepage.

To report a pothole on Interstate 664, citizens can call the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Customer Care Center at 1-800-FOR-ROAD. VDOT also plans on trying to accomplish a lot of pothole repairs this weekend.