Pothole Responses Vary by Season

Summertime provides the best asphalt repair conditions

Warm, dry weather provide the best conditions for repairing asphalt streets. That’s because local vendors produce a high-quality repair material called hot mix during the warm months, and the asphalt in the mix binds better to existing surfaces when they’re dry. Applying hot mix material over asphalt tack and then compacting creates a surface more durable than other alternatives.

Repairs continue in late fall and early winter

Pothole repairs occur year-round; however, repairs are more limited in the late fall and winter. During this time, surface maintenance crews transition from pothole repairs to leaf collection and delivery. Winter maintenance activities such as de-icing, plowing and sanding streets take priority and emphasis on repairing hazardous potholes that are three inches or deeper. During wet, cold weather, a special asphalt repair material called cold mix is used. Cold mix patches tend to be more temporary than hot mix patches; however, technology improvements in cold mix formulas are yielding better performance than with traditional cold mix.

Mid-winter and spring are concrete season

In mid-winter and spring, surface maintenance crews focus on concrete street repairs. Concrete repairs can be made under cooler and damper conditions than asphalt repairs. However, the Pothole Patrol remains active year-round and responds to calls for service using the materials most appropriate for the weather and pavement conditions.

Report a Pothole

It’s easy to report a pothole to the Eugene Public Works Maintenance Division, by using the online pothole reporting form. The form will ask for some brief information about the pothole, including its location. There is also a place for you to provide your contact information. You can also call Public Works Maintenance at 541-682-4800 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.