Skip to Content
Contact Us
Text Size
Main Menu
»
Home
Special Events
Public Meetings Calendar
Applications & Forms
Reports & Publications
News Archive
Live
My Government Services
311 Quick Reporter
Neighborhoods and Communities
Pets and Animals
Driving
Health
Learning
Our Environment
Public Safety
Property Resources
Seek Assistance
Senior Resources
Transportation
Utilities
Other Useful Links
Work
About Allentown
Starting a Business
Doing Business
Capital
Commercial/Industrial Real Estate Guide
Neighborhood Improvement Zone
Trades Licensing
Tax Forms & Information
Contact the City
Job Openings
Play
Arts and Attractions
Special Events
Family Fun
History
Music and Entertainment
Must See
Parks & Recreation
Parks Finder
Sports
Walking Tour
Government
Authorities, Boards & Commissions
City Controller
City Council
Departments & Bureaus
Mayor's Office
Lehigh County
State & Federal Representatives
City Budget
Home Rule Charter
Ordinances
Codified Ordinances
CAFR
Fireworks
Contact Us
Contact Form
Phone Listing
Social Media
allentownpa.gov
»
Public Works
»
Streets
»
Potholes
Public Works
Animal Control
Vaccinations & Licensing
Building Maintenance
Engineering
Current & Recently Completed Projects
Curbs & Sidewalks
Encroachments
Permits & Applications
Frequently Asked Questions
Street Vacations
Street Closures
Shade Tree Commission
Helpful Phone Numbers
Office of Compliance
EPA Administrative Order
LCA Concession
Projects
Reports
Resources
Wastewater
Public Works Staff
Recycling & Solid Waste
Business Recycling
Annual Recycling Report
Curbside Collection
Earth Day in the Park
Electronics Recycling
Event Trash & Recycling
Graffiti Busters
Keep Allentown Beautiful
Litter
Volunteers Needed
Metal & Appliance Recycling
Paper Shredding
Recycling Drop-off Center
Reduce, Reuse & Recycle
Single Stream Scottie
SWEEP
Yard Waste
Streets
Street Closures
Street Sweeping
Leaf Removal Program
Street Program Schedule
Snow Operations
Potholes
2020 Paving Program
Stormwater Program
Community Involvement & Educational Opportunities
Construction & Maintenance Schedule
Green & Gray Stormwater Infrastructure Projects
Traffic Planning & Control
Current & Recently Completed Projects
Frequently Asked Questions
PennDOT Publications & Guidelines
Report a Problem
Signs & Pavement Markings
Street Lights
Traffic Signals & Flashers
Potholes
Motorists who encounter a pothole on streets maintained by the City of Allentown are urged to call the city’s Pothole Hotline at 610-437-8775, use the "Allentown 311 Quick Reporter” mobile app, or by
submitting an email complaint
.
The Streets Department requests that citizens give the exact location of the pothole, along with their name and telephone number in case the city needs to reach them to ascertain a more precise location.
A Street Department crew fills potholes using a PB Patcher unit that is fully self-contained and can be installed on any single axle dump truck. The unit has the capability of keeping hot mix material workable all day. The city has a goal of repairing potholes on high traffic volume streets within
48 hours
and lower volume roads in
48 to 72 hours
. If a complaint is received for a very large pothole, a supervisor is sent to the scene in a reasonable time period to determine if immediate action is warranted.
Potholes result from the freeze-thaw cycle. Water seeps beneath the pavement through cracks caused by the wear and tear of vehicle travel. As the temperatures fall below freezing at night, the water becomes ice and expands below the pavement, forcing the pavement to rise. As the weight of traffic continues to batter this raised section – and the temperatures once again rise above freezing – a shallow divot occurs beneath the surface breaking the pavement and forming a pothole.
In 2019, the city filled nearly 9,570 potholes at a cost of around $182,000 in equipment, materials and labor.
Callers can reach the Pothole Hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 610-437-8775. The number can also be found on the home page of the city’s website at
www.allentownpa.gov
.
City of Allentown - 435 Hamilton Street - 610-439-5999
|
Login