Just like crocus and forsythia, potholes bloom when springtime hits the Rockies. But this winter has been kind to Colorado Springs’ streets.

Only 5,110 potholes were fixed from January through March 14, said Peg Richardson, city construction maintenance support manager.

Last year at this time, the city had plugged twice that many, and it tallied a whopping 57,830 pothole repairs for the entire year, probably a record, Richardson said. But last year brought 16 snow and ice storms compared to 2008’s four so far, she said.

“This year we are doing very well, and the weather seems to be working with us very well,” she said. However, the city isn’t out of the woods, she said.

“The prime time for potholes is not yet here,” Richardson said. “The April-May timeframe is when we truly see a significant amount after the winter season is coming to an end and spring is with us.”

Potholes crop up after moisture seeps into asphalt, weakening it. As traffic drives over it, the surface breaks down, creating chuck holes. The city has stepped up crack sealing in recent years, injecting filler material into cracks to prevent water from breaching the asphalt, which officials hope prevents potholes.

Richardson said she couldn’t say how much the city will spend on pothole repairs, because that work is rolled into the budget with other road maintenance costs. Also, some money comes from the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority sales tax adopted by voters in 2004.

She characterized price changes as a “roller coaster” noting while oil prices have driven asphalt costs up, other materials’ charges have declined.

She noted pothole crews keep their eyes peeled for other problems as they go. “They are not reacting to service requests alone,” she said. “When they’re in a neighborhood, they’re filling every asphalt deficiency they see to deter further deterioration.”

But there’s no escaping potholes, it seems. They’re as much a part of city life as asphalt roads.

“As our city continues to grow, as we continue to experience these snow events, we will see additional potholes creeping up through our asphalt,” Richardson said.

She encouraged citizens to report potholes by calling the “pothole hotline” at 385-6808. Or, e-mail to streetdivision@ci.colospgs.co.us

“They are our eyes and ears,” Richardson said. “We very much need the input from citizens of Colorado Springs.” She said the city has three to four crews working on potholes but can add two more if needed. The city keeps pace, she said, thanks to voter approval of the Rural Transportation Authority tax.

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Photo by The Gazette, Mark Reis