Potholes

P O T H O L E S

El Paso County roads are not immune to potholes. A pothole is a hole in the roadway that may vary in size and shape. The size of a pothole can range from a few inches wide and deep to several feet wide and several inches deep. They are caused by several different factors, including moisture under the surface, poor sub-surface material, and the natural cycle of freezing and thawing.

The repair of potholes is the responsibility of the El Paso County Department of Public Works Highway Division Asphalt Crew. The Department takes a strategic approach to pothole repairs.

When the Asphalt Crew receives a request for a pothole repair, the first thing they do is evaluate the request:

What type of road is the pothole on? (high-speed, high-volume vs low speed, low volume)

Can the repair be delayed until a few more requests in the same area are received to increase our efficiency and fix several potholes at once?

Is there a potential threat to public safety or potential damage to public or private property?

Another factor to consider is the weather. Weather plays a significant role in the quality and durability of a repair. Asphalt repair should not be performed at temperatures below 40 degrees. During the winter months, asphalt crews will perform emergency repairs to potholes but may need to perform the repairs again in warmer weather because the materials may not adhere well to the pavement.

HOW ARE POTHOLES REPAIRED?

There are several methods to repair a pothole depending on the size of the pothole and the condition of the road. The first step is to clean the pothole and remove all loose debris, including dust, dirt, and rocks. Next, the asphalt crew will determine the best method to repair the pothole. Below are some methods commonly used by El Paso County Asphalt Crews:

Hot Mix Asphalt

A hot mix asphalt is a mixture of materials such as sand, gravel, and asphalt cement that is heated before being applied. Crews will fill the pothole with the hot mix asphalt and compact it with a steel drum roller. The benefits of using hot mix asphalt are:

Cold Mix Asphalt:

Cold mix asphalt is commonly used for small repairs or patches. The asphalt doesn't require heating, and it can be poured directly on cracks or potholes to prevent the damage from spreading.

SQUARED OUT REPAIRS:

Some potholes will get "squared out" with a jackhammer to help with pushing. Pushing is where a vehicle tire will push the asphalt towards the direction of travel if the hole has a dish or bowl-shaped bottom. Squaring the sides up to be more vertical will help prevent the asphalt from pushing up the side, almost like a ramp.

DIG-OUT REPAIRS:

Some potholes require a "dig-out" where crews will use equipment to dig beneath the pothole to address underlying damage generally caused by poor sub-base material. These are likely larger potholes that can't be repaired by hand.

Weather-resistant Shorter installation process results in minimal road closures Durable for heavy traffic roads Flexible and malleable to temperature changes resulting in fewer cracks or damage Longer lasting solution

Cost-effective Temporary solution

The long-term solution to potholes is to continue to make investments into our infrastructure through preventative maintenance strategies such as crack seal, chip seal, and mill and asphalt overlay to extend the life of pavements. In some cases, the total reconstruction of aging pavements may be necessary.

HOW DO I SUBMIT A POTHOLE REPAIR?

Residents can submit a pothole repair request through our online Citizen Connect portal https://citizenconnect.elpasoco.com, the EPC Citizen Connect app (available on Android and iPhone), or by calling the Department of Public Works Customer Service number 719-520-6460.

WHAT INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT WHEN REPORTING A POTHOLE?

When reporting a pothole, it is important to include a description of the approximate size and depth, and the location. In addition, if you could include a picture of the pothole with your submission, that would be helpful to the crews who are evaluating your request.

SAFETY TIPS FOR DRIVING OVER POTHOLES

Tires should be inflated to full pressure to provide the maximum cushion between the pothole and the rim. Always check surrounding traffic before swerving around potholes. Watch out for standing water that may conceal a pothole. Slow down if you cannot avoid the pothole. Hitting a pothole at high speed increases the risk of vehicle damage. Don't brake directly over a pothole. Applying the brakes causes the vehicle's weight to shift to the front wheels and increases damage. Instead, it's better to brake before you hit the pothole and then roll through it slowly. Hold the steering wheel firmly to avoid losing control when driving over a pothole-filled road.