More Rain, More Potholes, and More Problems

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) – Nothing puts a pit in your stomach faster than this seemingly bottomless pit, otherwise known as a pothole.

Chip Garrett, Retail Manager at Best One Tire in Chattanooga, says, “They’re never happy to come in here and buy tires because it’s like going to the doctor. Nobody wants to spend that kind of money.”

Garrett tells us he’s had several people come in recently to replace tires.

Garrett adds, “Little frustrated, but on the city and state’s behalf, it’s hard to repair all these holes.”

One crew within Chattanooga’s Public Works Department is responsible for patching up these problem areas on a daily basis.

Even though they receive roughly 100 complaints per month, they actually fill on average 780 potholes per month.

However, this time of year is especially chaotic for the pothole crew.

Garrett says, “There’s a lot of rain this time in Chattanooga.”

Yes, the rain gets into the cracks in the asphalt.

As a result, the material laid underneath the road softens, causing weak spots to collapse under the weight of the traffic.

Garrett adds, “It causes potholes with all the trucks running over the interstate too.”

The Public Works Department actually adds a second crew in the Spring of every year to help tackle the workload.

Last March alone, crews patched 2,300 hundred potholes.

According to Garrett, “People need to be aware of them out there and need to drive more safely.”

Garrett says making sure your tires are not low on air can help in the event you have to drive through one of these nasty areas.

Garrett adds, “There’s not as much room from the rim to the street when they hit the pothole.”

Tire repairs can cost an upwards of $350.

So, it pays to be aware and report potholes to 311 as soon as possible.