HOW TO REPORT POTHOLES
MIDDLETOWN: Call 513-727-3691 or visit www.cityofmiddletown.org/potholes to fill out an online form
HAMILTON: Call 513-785-7585 or use the city's Online 311 Citizen Request Center, which can be accessed at www.hamilton-city.org
FAIRFIELD: Call 513-867-4235 or visit www.fairfield-city.org/publicworks/roadrepair.cfm to fill out an online form
FAIRFIELD TWP.: Call 513-785-3663
WEST CHESTER TWP.: Call 513-777-8765
LIBERTY TWP.: Road maintenance is handled by several government offices. Contact Liberty Twp. offices at 513-759-7585. Contact the Butler County Engineer's Office at 513-867-5744. Contact the Ohio Department of Transportation (Butler County garage) at 513-863-6609
OXFORD: Submit a pothole form via the Citizen Support Center at www.cityofoxford.org
MONROE: Call 513-727-8953
FRANKLIN: Call 937-746-5001
Drivers are all too familiar with the dreaded ‘thud-thunk’ sound after their vehicle hits an undetected crater. With winter nearing an end, it’s time for pothole season.
And the cost to repair potholes is taking a big bite out of city and county budgets.
The Butler County Engineer’s Office spent $88,910 to repair potholes last year and $117,950 in preventative maintenance.
Hamilton’s streets division has spent $35,000 so far this year fixing potholes. The city’s budget for potholes this year is up to $127,000, according to Engle.
“Depending on the other expenditures in streets division, some funds may be re-allocated to perform more resurfacing of streets,” said Rich Engle, Hamilton public works director.
Between December of 2013 through the end of February, Middletown spent $14,250 to repair potholes.
“Due to the extreme winter conditions this year, this is about three times what we typically spend during these months for pothole repair,” said Ron Phelps, Middletown public works superintendent. “We are projecting to spend approximately $20,000 for temporary pothole repairs.”
The city has budgeted $381,600 this year for “in house” pothole patching, mill and fill repairs and resurfacing projects, according to Phelps.
Middletown public works officials say they receive an average of five to 10 calls per day from residents reporting potholes. Oxford State Road, South Breiel Boulevard and Germantown Road are some of the worst areas, according Phelps.
Hamilton public works officials were unable to tell us how many calls they get, “because there are multiple reports for (the) same pothole,” Engle said. “All areas of the city are experiencing some deterioration of pavement. East High Street and Symmes Road have high numbers of potholes due to the construction activity.”
Officials with the Butler County Engineer’s Office report only a few calls and emails about potholes.
“It’s not really about location but has more to do with the age of the pavement,” said Chris Petrocy, spokesman engineer’s office. “Recently paved roads are not as prone to potholes as those with older pavement that has developed more cracks which allow water and salt to penetrate.”
Most drivers tell the Journal-News they’ve seen more potholes this winter compared to years past.
John Webster, of Hamilton, said he paid $300 to repair his wife’s van after it hit a pothole.
“That wasn’t a whole lot of fun, but, yeah, it is costly,” he said.
Financial help is available for drivers in Hamilton if they hit a pothole.
“Motorists can file a claim with the city and it is forwarded to our insurance company for investigation,” Engle said.
The Butler County Engineer’s Office says drivers who experience pothole damage should contact their insurance company. The city of Middletown provides motorists an insurance claim form that is reviewed by Public Entity Risk Services of Ohio.
While potholes create financial headaches for transportation departments and motorists, area mechanics have seen an uptick in the number of cars coming into the shop due to pothole damage to their cars. Jeff Pohlman Tire and Auto Service has stores in Hamilton, Middletown, Fairfield and Oxford.
Sales at Jeff Pohlman Tire and Auto Service, 303 S. Second St. in Hamilton are up at least 10 percent due to cars hitting potholes, said manager Ryan Pohlman.
“Once a pothole’s been hit it impacts the tire or the wheel. Front end parts take a lot of abuse, the tie rod ends can be bent or broken, stabilizer links break all the time, the ball joints and everything takes a lot of abuse anytime a pothole is hit,” he said.
Alignment issues are also a concern, Pohlman estimates it costs about $500 to fix an alignment, buy a new tire and repair front end damage.
“Avoid hitting potholes as much as you can,” he advises drivers. “Definitely slow down if you have to come in contact with a pothole.”
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