Potholes open up on Memphis streets after snow
Jan 13, 2025
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As expected, Friday's wet and heavy snow has led to pothole problems across the city.
Leaders say more than 20 pothole requests have already rolled in so far as repairs are underway on both city and state roadways. Crews were hard at work Monday morning in Midtown.
"We will grid the city up in different areas and assign crews who will fill service request as well as any they see by driving around," said Scott Morgan, director of Public Works, who says 22 requests may only be the beginning of pothole problems.
Friday's winter weather was the city's first use of its new snow and ice plan, which involves clearing one lane on popular roadways and pretreating with straight salt.
Morgan calls their first run "a great success."
Winter storm brings record snow overnight
"Weather was definitely a factor. No ice, temps were warmer and we didn't have rainfall so pretreatment could actually stick," he said.
Nichole Lawrence with TDOT says 50 to 70 crew members are in the Memphis area working on pothole repairs.
"(It's) important to note that during the winter mix, we make those repairs with cold mix, hot mix is not available so these repairs are temporary," Lawrence said.
A more permanent fix will come with much warmer weather this summer.
Leaders ask they drivers give crews space to work on roadways safely. And call 311 if you spot any pothole in your area.