Cold Weather Creates Plenty Of New Potholes In Tri-State Area
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- This winter's weather has taken a big toll on roads in the Tri-State area.
As CBS 2's Kathryn Brown reported, it's almost impossible for drivers to avoid the potholes popping up on New York City's streets.
"I can't drive easily," said cab driver Arman Hussain. "I have to drive slow, go slow everywhere."
Cold Weather Creates Plenty Of New Potholes In Tri-State Area
The combination of recent snow, ice and prolonged frigid temperatures have left the streets a rocky, bumpy wreck.
"You've got to be careful," said driver Leroy Johnson. "You've got to look and see at the road, see what's going on, making sure that you don't hit a pothole."
Fabian, a Midtown mechanic, said that when drivers hit a pothole they "break the wall" of the tire.
"You can't repair it," he said. "You've got to replace it. Period. Either that or put the spare on."
From New York to New Jersey, repair crews have been working around the clock to fix the craters.
Last winter, the New Jersey Department of Transportation rolled out its "pothole killer," a machine that patches the holes quicker than crews can.
This year, they're putting it to work again.
And the New York City Department of Transportation said that from Dec. 31 to Jan. 8 crews filled more than 8,000 potholes.
On Long Island, Route 112 in Coram and Jericho Turnpike through Huntington are among the worst highways for potholes this winter, WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported.
Cab driver Richie Trainer recently got a flat tire from a pothole, but that's not what he's most concerned about.
"I drive a $25,000 sports car," he said. "I get a little concerned when I see some holes when I'm driving that moreso than my cab."
"If you see it one bad spot on the side, expect maybe something coming up again on your left or your right," Trainer suggested to drivers.
With plenty of winter left, automotive experts say drivers should buckle up and expect a bumpy ride until spring.
"You can't help it," Fabian said. "You can't go in the snow and try to fix the roads."
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