Resident expresses concern over potholes after having nine tires replaced in a year
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – James Hughes said over the span of the last year, he’s had to replace nine tires because of potholes.
“The vehicle I have has low profile tires which evidentially is not good for the City of Memphis,” said Hughes. “Within a year, I’ve had to have nine tires, and two rims replaced and that’s over, we’re talking about $6,000.”
Hughes said he’s been calling the city, the mayor’s office, public works, and 311.
“I’m trying to see what is being done with these potholes. I’ m a homeowner, I’m paying taxes every year and I just don’t see where the money is going,” said Hughes.
Hughes said the potholes are across the Memphis area. Hughes said he drives from East Memphis to Arlington everyday using roads maintained by both the City of Memphis and the Tennessee Department of Transportation, TDOT.
“I’ve had just recently I hit a pothole on Lamar which is considered TDOT. I had that replaced then 48 hours I hit a pothole on 240 between Humphrey and Poplar which damaged my tire,” said Hughes.
Hughes said he’s extremely frustrated.
The City of Memphis said in 2024 crews filled more than 80,000 potholes. The city said they have their own asphalt plant and can make asphalt for pothole repairs. The city also said crews are out almost everyday filling potholes across the city.
Nichole Lawrence, a Regional Communications Director for TDOT, said potholes are part of the circle of life for a highway.
“Especially those that are mostly traveled interstates that have hundreds of thousands of vehicles a day that cross them,” said Lawrence. “Its just a matter of time when a pothole occurs.”
Lawrence said potholes blossom during Springtime.
“We’ve had those freeze thaw cycles during the winter and then even in the beginning of spring, you know, 70 or 80 during the day and then we might get down into 30s or 40s at night. That moisture then from rain creeps down into those cracks and a pothole is born,” said Lawrence.
Lawrence said TDOT crews are out every day.
“Its part of our routine maintenance. We are monitoring the highways. We are patching potholes as we see them, but we also ask our motorists to call in. 833-TDOT-FIX or they can go on our webpage as well and fill out a maintenance request form,” said Lawrence.
Lawrence said there is a process, and potholes aren’t usually fixed immediately.
“In West Tennessee we have over 10,000 lane miles. So, nothing is ever instant in our world. Once we evaluate we get the ones that are the highest safety conditions that we need to take care of first and then it may trickle down into the smaller ones,” said Lawrence.
Lawrence said they are trying to make the safest transportation system in the nation. Lawrence said she understands residents like Hughes’ frustrations. She said it takes time to fix potholes.
“It’s not a toss and go. A lot of the time we have to get out there and, in some instances, if it’s a large enough pothole, we’ve got to mill it out and reform that part of the pavement with new hot mix,” said Lawrence. “In the wintertime we’re making those repairs with a cold mix and then we have to go back in the summer months when hot mix is available, and those asphalt plants are open.”
Lawrence said crews will be working next week on a section of 385 from 8 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Hughes said he knows crews are out working but says it doesn’t feel like enough is being done. Hughes said he’s heard similar stories from others.
“I’ve always taken it to the dealership to have it replaced and they told me they get so many vehicles in that have been damaged from potholes,” said Hughes.
The City of Memphis has additional information on their website. TDOT also has additional information on their website.
The city is asking residents to call 311 to report potholes.
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