Weather Contributes to Atlanta's Pothole Problem

By Jim Burress

Atlanta, GA – Snowfall may have averted Atlanta Monday. Drivers, however, won't be so lucky when it comes to a different driving hazard: potholes.
WABE's Jim Burress reports.

Freezing and thawing moisture and lots of traffic. When they all come together, it's a recipe for the dreaded pothole.

Atlanta is plagued with them, and all potholes aren't created equally.

"It's very important to apply the preventative maintenance concept," says Dr. James Tsai, a civil and environmental engineering professor at Georgia Tech. He says the best way for the city to battle potholes is to find them before they form, for example, when they're just tiny cracks in the pavement.

"The key is to treat pavement at the right time with the right method. This is very effective to avoid expensive repairs," Tsia said.

Repairing potholes isn't the only expense. The damage they cause can prove costly, too. In one month's time, the city paid out more than $6,300 for repairs to five motorists. And that was just for potholes on one city block.

Jim Burress, WABE News.