Freeze to thaw cycle is creating pothole headaches in Chicago

CHICAGO (FOX 32) - The City of Chicago says it's stepping up its efforts to patch potholes. However, right now, it's an uphill battle against mother nature.

Just when Chicagoans should be celebrating a 60-degree bump over last week’s bitter cold, they find themselves dodging potholes, which seemed to turn from small hole to big hole almost overnight.

“Well, I’ve seen a few,” one driver said. “I mean, not as big as I expected. Yeah, I’ve seen a few.”

The worst stretch we found was on Western Avenue, south of Ogden, where heavy truck traffic may contribute to the rough ride. 

Just as he did last year, the Mayor has ordered pothole repair crews to be on the streets seven days a week, during the peak to the pothole season. 

There are 25 crews assigned to patching potholes. If you hit one of those potholes squarely, the results can be costly.

“Most of the time, it’s mostly the ball joint,” another driver said. “That tends to mess up on the control arms. Usually, it's the ball joints, or sometimes the axles.”

Last year, the City received nearly 12,000 complaints about potholes during the first two months of the year.

If you see one and want it fixed, you can call 3-1-1 or file a complaint with the City's new mobile app.