How to Report Those Potholes on Hartland Roads

Michigan drivers are very familier with potholes, sometimes a never-ending problem on the roads that drivers seem to face on a daily basis. 

And Hartland Patch readers agree, with many people posting comments on the Hartland Patch Facebook page Wednesday when we asked about the worst potholes in Hartland.

Some of the mentions from Patch readers includ Clyde Road and Center Road.

Reporting a pothole

• For potholes located on public roads maintained by the Livingston County Road Commission, call the Maintenance Department at (517) 546‐4250.

• For potholes located on state roads or highway, which are maintained by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), fill out the pothole reporting form.

• There is also a Pothole Hotline - www.michigan.gov/mdot that has been created to report potholes. The phone number is 1-888-296-4546, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.   

Why all the potholes?

The January thaw is the biggest cause of the holes in the roads. 

Potholes form when water flows into cracks, then freezes, expands, and pushes away the roadbed under the concrete or asphalt, according to information on the Road Commission website from Oakland County.

When temperatures rise, the ice melts, leaving an unsupported gap that becomes a pothole whenever cars, and especially trucks, pass over.

"Although potholes become plentiful when warm spells interrupt a long period of cold weather, such as the 'January thaw,' the largest number of potholes normally crops up in the spring as frost comes out of the ground," according to the Road Commission.

Have you been affected by a pothole this week?