Winter Weather Means More Pothole Problems Across Tri-State

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Pothole season has gone into full swing, and some drivers have found themselves with their cars damaged or even trashed.

As CBS2's Matt Kozar reported Thursday, experts have advice on what everyone can do to make the ride a little less bumpy.

Crews have been patching up the roads in New York City, and there are a lot of them – from the Grand Central Parkway in Queens to Tenth Avenue in Manhattan, and plenty of other roads in between and beyond.

But in recent weeks, snowstorms have kept workers busy and they have not been able to fill potholes.

"In between those storms, we've been trying to prep and take advantage of that time to do some maintenance activities," said city Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner Galileo Orlando.

Orlando is in charge of roadway repair and maintenance, and he has urged all New Yorkers to report potholes to the department.

"Ultimately though, the real solution is to resurface these streets," Orlando said. "Potholes are really a temporary fix."

But in many cases, that is not going to happen anytime soon, an expert said.

"It's going to be like this in the foreseeable future, because on the state level, we don't have the money, and on the federal level, the dedicated highway fund is going to be broke in May, it's estimated," said AAA spokesman Robert Sinclair.

Sinclair said lawmakers need to do a better job of funding infrastructure, or make roads with potholes a year-round reality.

"You're patching the problem," Sinclair said. "The bottom line is the fact that the roads in and of themselves are in bad shape."

New York City drivers agreed, and had pothole horror stories to share.

"I barely missed it, and the cab behind me got it," one woman said. "I mean it would take your wheel out."

It's very frustrating," added a man driving a yellow cab. "First of all, the passengers feel it just as much as I do. It's a very bumpy ride out here."

One thing you can do to help is report potholes when you see them so officials can get them filled. Here's how:

In New York City

To report a pothole online, click here.

To check the status of a repair, click here.

In New Jersey

To report a pothole online, click here.

On Long Island

Nassau County residents can call the Department of Public Works at (516) 571-6900.

Suffolk County residents can call 1-800-POTHOLE (1-800-768-4653) to report potholes on any state-owned highway, including the Thruway.

In Connecticut

To report a pothole online, click here.