Fighting the plague of potholes

With the warm days that have filled much of the winter so far, this season has been exceptionally bad for potholes, and Rockville Centre’s roads have not escaped the destruction.

Potholes form mainly in the winter, when water penetrates the street through small cracks. When temperatures drop below freezing, usually at night, the water turns to ice and expands, making holes in either the pavement or the underlayers. When cars drive over these areas, they crack the pavement, causing potholes. The freeze/thaw cycle exacerbates the problem and creates bigger potholes.

“The village has crews out every day, weather permitting, to fill holes,” said village Spokesperson Grilli said in an email to the Herald, “and are using a cold patch material while waiting and checking for the asphalt plants to be open to get hot mix.”

If residents see potholes on their streets, they should call the DPW at 678-9293, or report it online by visiting http://www.rvcny.us/new/potholes.html.

Grilli said that village crews are out early fixing potholes. The village had budgeted $20,000 for pothole repair in its 2013-14 budget.

If your car is damaged in a pothole, it’s possible that the village will compensate you for repairs. “Damage to cars is reviewed and if there is a severe hole that was officially reported to the village in writing, a claim will be considered,” Grilli said.