The “Pothole Killer,” an all-in-one vehicle that can repair up to 100 potholes a day, is ready to take on Northern Virginia potholes. This year, the Virginia Department of Transportation has hired three Pothole Killers to work on snow and ice-battered roads in Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun Counties.

A traditional pothole crew can patch about 10 potholes a day and requires a four-person crew to assist with lane closures. Unless temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees, crews can only make temporary repairs and must return later in the spring to make permanent repairs. The Pothole Killer requires only a driver and can make permanent repairs in any weather condition. No lane closures are required because the asphalt sprayed into the pothole cures quickly and allows vehicles to immediately drive over the pothole area.

In addition to the three Pothole Killers, VDOT road crews are repairing more than 200 potholes a day in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties. Between
9 a.m. and 3 p.m., approximately 21 mobile patching crews are making repairs on interstates and other high volume roads throughout Northern Virginia.

While maintenance crews are constantly on the lookout for potholes, VDOT urges citizens to report potholes by calling 703-383-VDOT or online at www.virginiadot.org under the What’s New section at the bottom of the home page. VDOT urges motorists to be alert and slow down for pothole crews

VDOT is responsible for maintaining over 16,000 lane miles of roads in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties. Cities and towns maintain their own roads.


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Page last modified: March 8, 2007