Politics & Government

Road Crews Busy with Pothole Repairs

During the current thaw, workers are busy with pothole repairs across Long Island.

The melting snow and fluctuating temperatures have left crews to fix the dips, cracks and even craters now prevalent throughout the region.

Monday’s near 50-degree weather, arriving just days after temperatures hovered in the single digits, is when potholes “start popping,” said Gilbert Anderson, Suffolk County’s Public Work’s commissioner.

Anderson said reported potholes are usually addressed within 24 hours.

In Nassau County, crews are always on the lookout for potholes. And when it comes to repairs, there’s “no set schedule,” said Michael Martino, press secretary for the county’s Department of Public Works.

County roads are “constantly being patrolled and addressed year round,” he said. “Any potholes reported are generally repaired within 24 hours – it’s a constant function of the highway department.”

State roads, like Jericho Turnpike and all the parkways, are maintained by the New York State Department of Transportation Long Island. State crews are busy as well, making repairs usually within 48 hours on state roads, weather permitting, a spokeswoman said. Workers “are on the alert and have been patrolling state roadways for potholes and repairing them all over Long Island each day as the weather permits.”

Expect the pothole-repair cycle to linger this year.

"We're nowhere near out the woods yet," Anderson said.

Reporting potholes:

  • On state roads, call 1-800 POTHOLE
  • On Nassau County roads, call 516-571-6900. Or take a photo of the pothole and upload it to the “Nassau Now” app
  • On Town of Hempstead roads, call the Highway Department directly at 489-5000, ext. 3471 or report potholes via the helpline form. Be specific as possible - exact street address and the nearest cross street
  • On Suffolk County roads, call 631-852-4070. Commissioner Gilbert said the public can call this number 24-hours a day


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