Repairs On Rockland Roads Proceed As Wet Weather Impacts Continue

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Pothole season seems particularly bad this year.

Potholes are formed primarily due to two things: heavy traffic and water. After precipitation gets into cracks, freeze-thaw cycles push the pavement up and down, and pounding it causes damage, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Like other elected officials, County legislators have heard from constituents concerned about the state of roadways around Rockland, Legislator Itamar Yeger said.

“Anyone driving around the county has experienced the conditions of local roads, not only county-designated roads, but state, town and village roads,” said Yeger, who is Chairman of the Planning & Public Works Committee. “Depending on the road you’re on, it can be a rough ride. Some people have experienced blown tires or worse.”

Yeger checked with Rockland Superintendent of Highways Charles “Skip” Vezzetti, to get an overview as to why so many roads seem to be plagued by potholes this winter, and to learn about temporary and permanent repair work.

Vezzetti said that while the snow total is lower than average this winter, there has been significant rain – sometimes coming down for days at a time. In some cases, the water doesn’t immediately drain because the local water table, normally a high level, is now even higher. Water remaining on roadways freezes when the temperature falls below 32 degrees F, so winter's overnight freezing and thawing creates bad conditions.

He told Yeger that county work crews are responding to reports about potholes daily, and that other municipalities are doing the same. Crews use a cold fill during winter months to temporarily repair the potholes, he said.

The good news is that hot asphalt plants will soon be reopening around the region, including Tilcon in Rockland, Vezzetti said. Hot asphalt fills potholes and stays in place much better than the cold fill.

Asphalt plants close in winter because it’s too difficult to maintain the extremely high temperatures necessary to form the mixture needed for roadway repairs. Also, significant road projects do not occur in winter months.

The hot asphalt plants are expected to be operating again by the end of the month, the superintendent said, adding that, until then, work crews will continue to address potholes using the cold fill as many times as necessary to keep the streets operating.

“I want to thank the superintendent for his overview and for explaining what the solution is and that it is soon to be implemented once the plants reopen,” Yeger said. “I and all county residents look forward to driving on better roads soon.”

New York is not the only place where potholes are a problem; in fact, a study released in May 2023 by QuoteWizard, and insurance information website, ranked New York State no. 28 in the nation when it comes to pothole-pitted roadways.

Pothole damage costs U.S. drivers $3 billion annually, according to the American Automobile Association, with the average cost of most pothole-related repairs about $400. Typical pothole damage:

• Popped tire
• Damaged wheel rims
• Damage to engine or exhaust system
• Mis-alignment of tires
• Damage to shocks and struts

QuoteWizard said drivers between the ages of 35 and 44 reported more pothole damage than any other age group. The insurance website offered this advice:

• To minimize pothole damage to your vehicle, make sure your tires are properly inflated.
• Also check that your tread grooves are deep enough. If they’re not, buy new tires.
• If avoiding a pothole isn’t possible, slow down, keep your foot off the brake pedal and try to straighten the steering wheel before impact.

New York runs a year-round, toll-free hot line at 1.800.POTHOLE (1.800.768.4653) to report potholes on the state's highway systems, including the Thruway. The line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For Rockland County roads, use the Road Service Request form to report maintenance issues such as potholes.