Weather permitting, the City of Toronto will launch a pothole repair blitz this Sunday, April 2, to keep Toronto’s expressways, major roads and neighbourhood streets in a state of good repair.
Approximately 100 crews will work a 12-hour shift, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., to repair as many potholes as possible.
Crews have performed proactive daily patrols throughout the winter season to fix potholes across Toronto. Sunday is forecasted to have favourable enough weather conditions for a pothole repair blitz, as daytime temperatures are expected to be above 0° with dry conditions.
Potholes occur when water penetrates the top layer of asphalt through cracks in the road. After the moisture freezes and expands, sections of the pavement are forced up. The weight of vehicles going over raised sections breaks the pavement and the asphalt is forced out. Potholes are more frequent in the spring following freeze/thaw cycles during winter.
Residents driving or cycling are advised to expect minor delays around pothole crews. The public is asked to be safe by respecting work zones and giving crews space while they make repairs.
The City has a comprehensive pothole repair program. The City Council-approved budget for pothole repairs in 2023 is $4.6 million.
Pothole repair blitz crews comprise the same City staff who handle road maintenance, snow clearing, street sweeping and other maintenance and roadway safety work.
Potholes can normally be repaired within four days of crews being made aware through proactive patrols and 311 service requests from residents. When there are large numbers of potholes to be repaired, they are triaged based on size and repairs are prioritized on major roads first.
Members of the public can report potholes to 311 via the 311 Toronto mobile app, online or by calling 311. Learn more about how the City manages potholes on the City’s Potholes webpage.
Quotes:
“We’re working to tackle potholes across the city so everyone who uses our roads – transit riders, drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians – can get around safely. Maintaining a safe and reliable road network is a top priority for the City. Thank you to the hardworking crews who will be on the road from sunrise to sunset this Sunday to repair as many potholes as possible during this blitz. I’m encouraging residents to help by reporting potholes to 311 so we can address them quickly and efficiently.”
– Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park)
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