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Channel 9 meteorologists say weather to blame for mass pothole problems

By Gina Esposito, wsoctv.com
By Gina Esposito, wsoctv.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Channel 9’s team of meteorologists is blaming the cold weather for all of the potholes popping up in Charlotte.

When water sinks into cracks, freezes, unfreezes and then freezes again, that can create a pothole.

[LINK: Report potholes to the city of Charlotte]

Channel 9 drove across Charlotte last week and found many potholes.

Drivers headed into uptown were dodging potholes on 4th Street. Channel 9 crews counted eight potholes on 4th Street from South Kings Drive to the I-277 loop.

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Channel 9 crews also spotted potholes on Queens Road and North Graham Street.

There are so many potholes, Channel 9 asked the Charlotte Department of Transportation to find out how bad the issue is.

Data from the CDOT show that Jan. 1 to Feb. 13, 2017, there were 123 pothole repair requests and 10 days below freezing in Charlotte. During the same dates this year, there have been 170 pothole repair requests with 27 days below freezing.

“Since I have been here, I've definitely have had damage to my car,” driver Rochelle Chuler said.

“Happened over there on Albemarle Road and it was pretty deep,” driver Martin Gold said. “It bent her tire (rim) completely. She had to get a new one.”

When CDOT receives a repair request, crews decide whether the pothole is an emergency.

The potholes most likely to cause car accidents or other dangers should be repaired within 24 hours. Other potholes can take up to 10 days.

City officials said they have the staff to repair two to three potholes a day. However, in the past, they have repaired at many as 20 in a day.

“Are they (CDOT) concentrating on certain areas? Are there enough workers? The situation really needs to be addressed," Chuler said.

When CDOT receives a repair request, crews decide whether the pothole is an emergency.

The potholes most likely to cause car accidents or other dangers should be repaired within 24 hours. Other potholes can take up to 10 days. The city said they have the staff to repair 2 to 3 potholes a day. However, in the past, they have repaired at many as 20 in a day.

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