Halifax drivers watch out for growing number of potholes

Halifax potholes continue to cause problems for drivers.

Recent snowfall in Halifax has meant slippery road conditions for drivers, and thanks to more potholes, it’s meant bumpy conditions, too.

“As of data from last week, I believe there were 235 reports of potholes in the municipality. And that is an increase from last year,” says Jake Fulton, a public affairs advisor with the Halifax Regional Municipality.

He adds that’s largely due to swings in temperature.

As it stands, the city services potholes on a priority basis.

“Priority one potholes we aim to repair within 10 business days. Anything on an arterial, like a really main road that a lot of folks drive on, it’s within seven business days, but crews are out there all the time making sure that the potholes are repaired,” says Fulton.

He says crews are patching holes on a weekly basis, though they can only apply a “temporary” fix in the winter.

“During the winter months, normal hot asphalt is not available, so temporary cold asphalt is used to patch potholes. Any of the repairs done in the winter are temporary with the intention of crews going out and doing full, proper permanent repairs in the warmer months.”

Evan Chiasson, the owner of Nova Wheels and Deals in Halifax, says he receives one-to-two calls for pothole-related repairs.

“If you get lucky, you hit a bad pothole and it’s just a tire or something like that, it will just run you $100 (or) $150. If you need your rim and your tire replaced, that could be upwards of three or $400. But in the worst cases where it takes out suspension components, you’re looking at probably over $1,000,” says Chiasson.

He suggests drivers avoid swerving when they see a pothole.

“You’ll hit another vehicle or you’ll hit a guardrail or something even worse, and you’ll get even more damage. That’s what I would say, don’t swerve too hard.”

The municipality is encouraging people to report potholes as they see them.

“We do rely on residents to report potholes. The sooner we know about them, the more quickly we can fix them. And if a resident does have an issue where there’s damage done to a vehicle because of a pothole, if it’s on a municipal road, they’re encouraged to contact 311,” says Fulton.

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