Louisville drivers continue to battle pothole season as road crews work to keep up

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The potholes in Louisville are growing by the day — so much so that they might have their own zip codes by the end of the week.

Last week, Mayor Craig Greenberg acknowledged the issue, saying, "It feels like we have more potholes ... and you can find one with your car in a matter of minutes."

The sound of vehicles hitting potholes has become a familiar noise across the commonwealth, signaling the transition into warmer weather — and for many drivers, a trip to the alignment shop.

"I call them potholes, but are they bad this year? They are very bad," said Louisville driver Kathleen Geile.

She knows firsthand how damaging they can be, having recently taken her car into the shop for repairs.

"Wheel alignment — hitting those potholes hard," Geile added.

Around noon March 3, a public works crew was hard at work on Cannons Lane near Bowman Field. The sizzling sound of hot asphalt fresh off the truck filled the air as workers tackled the growing road hazards.

Brian Knop, another Louisville driver, described the severity of the issue:

"I call them potholes, but some of them are pretty doggone deep," Knop said. "I have a pretty big truck, and I avoid the big ones. When you can’t see the bottom, that’s a problem."

Potholes form when water seeps into cracks in the pavement, freezes, and expands, pushing the pavement apart. Over time, snowplows and heavy traffic make the situation worse, turning small cracks into deep craters.

"My wife has a CR-V, and it has those very expensive tires," Knop said. "I avoid those potholes like the plague when I’m in that thing."

With the number of potholes increasing, finding a smooth patch of asphalt can be a challenge. While road crews work tirelessly to fill as many as they can each day, the process takes time and resources.

"You try to be patient," Knop said. "You understand that everything is a problem these days, and everything costs money. But if you don't address it now, it's going to get worse, and the problem is going to get bigger. Then we’re going to have to pave the roads quicker."

For now, Louisville drivers will have to remain cautious and hope their vehicles can withstand the bumps in the road — literally.

Potholes are not going to fix themselves — you have to report them to the city. the quickest way is to go online to the city's website.

Drivers can also report potholes:

Online at Louisville Metro 311
By calling Metro 311
On social media using the hashtag #502Pothole

Officials with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet have said that crews are currently addressing pothole issues on state roads. Spokesperson Morgan Woodrum said a cold mix is applied to potholes in the winter for a short-term repair. She said in warmer months, potholes are repaired using a hot asphalt mix to smooth rough areas and "ensure a stable fill."

If your vehicle was damaged on a Kentucky highway or interstate, you'll need to contact the Kentucky Department of Transportation. A link on its website allows you to submit a claim for consideration. CLICK HERE to submit a claim.

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