Got Potholes? Report Them Via the City's Hotline

We're starting to hear from frustrated motorists tired of dodging potholes, some described as "big enough to swim in."  They are certainly no joke, and can do damage to your vehicle. 

If you have a pet pothole peeve, report it to the city. Information below taken from gonashua.com.

From the City of Nashua website: 

Potholes are abrupt depressions, holes or other defects in roadway pavement that can cause difficulties for drivers and vehicles. Potholes usually occur when the base material under the pavement is washed out. Weather is the most significant contributor to the severity of a pothole problem. Excess water beneath the pavement weakens the soil tremendously, particularly when frozen ground begins to thaw in the spring. A sudden thaw, especially when accompanied by heavy rain, can very quickly wash out roadway base material and create numerous potholes in multiple locations. Other events, such as a water leak, may also wash away base material, creating a street defect.

The Streets Department repairs all potholes as quickly as possible after receiving a report of a pothole.  In the winter, hot asphalt patch material is not readily available which necessitates using a temporary "cold patch" material, that does not adhere as well to the surrounding base material. For this reason, some potholes may need to be patched several times over the winter months, until the warmer weather allows for a permanent repair to be made. To report the location of a pothole, call the:

 Streets Department Pothole Hot Line at (603) 589-4797 

A claim for damages arising from an accident, caused by a pothole can be called in to the Streets Department. The City is exempt for seventy-two hours after the accident, and in that time will have the accident looked into and have the defect repaired. The City would be liable for damages caused by street defects only when the City had actual notice of the street defect and failed to take reasonable steps to repair the defect.  Or the defect must have been in existence long enough so that the City should have known about and repaired the defect.  In addition, the driver of the vehicle must demonstrate that the damage was unavoidable.