Edmonton reports more than 200% increase in pothole fills this year

A City of Edmonton crew repairs potholes on April 15, 2025. (Evan Klippenstein/CTV News Edmonton)

The City of Edmonton said it has filled more than three times the number of potholes so far this year.

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As of Monday, the city said crews had filled 85,368 potholes. That’s a 243-per-cent increase over the 24,888 filled last year in the same timeframe.

Potholes form on roads during freeze-thaw cycles. When water enters a crack and freezes, then melts and evaporates, a cavity is left under the surface of the road.

That cavity becomes a pothole after vehicle traffic causes weakened pavement to crumble. The more traffic a pothole gets, the faster it grows.

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Residents can report a pothole on the City of Edmonton website.

The city said it investigates all potholes it finds or that are reported. The holes are inspected and prioritized based on size, location and traffic volume, among other things.

The city’s website said crews aim to inspect and repair high-priority locations within two days, while timelines for alleyways can reach up to a year.

If you have hit a pothole and damaged your vehicle, you may be able to file an insurance claim.

More information on which claims are accepted and how to file one can be found on the City of Edmonton website.