What causes a pothole?
Water can get under the pavement through cracks or from the side of the road. Over time, the water can cause the material under the pavement to erode, causing the pavement to sink down and break. During the winter, the water under the pavement freezes, then thaws (contracting and expanding). This freeze/thaw cycle can cause the pavement to crack so that it deteriorates quickly under the weight of traffic, and then streets can seem to break out in potholes overnight.

Why are there so many potholes in Boston's streets?
You can expect to see more potholes in the winter and spring, following periods of cold temperatures and rain or snow. Coastal Boston area cities and towns experience extensive freeze/thaw cycles.

You filled a pothole, but a few days later, there it was again. Why don't your repairs last longer?
Because making permanent repairs during the winter is both difficult and expensive, in winter months we fill potholes with both cold and hot patch and wait until spring to make permanent repairs with hot asphalt. These temporary repairs are intended to maintain safety and minimize damage to vehicles. Permanent repairs require waiting until the spring to thaw.

How do I report a pothole?
We rely on constituents to report potholes. If you see one, call the Mayor's 24 Hour Hotline at 617.635.4500 or Make an Online Service Request

What if the pothole is on a State-maintained road?
To report a pothole on state-owned roads, motorists can call 511 on a cellphone or dial 617-973-7800, the state Highway Department switchboard.

How long does it take to fill a pothole?
On average it takes approximately two business days to fill the typical pothole. Some potholes, because of their location in the road or proximity to other infrastructure such as manhole covers, are more difficult to fill and, consequently take longer.
We have at least ten crews working every day to cover 800 miles of streets in the City of Boston. And many times when a crew goes to repair one pothole, they find several others in the same area.