Missouri - Spring is officially two weeks away, but rising temperatures this weekend after recent winter storms will bring out the potholes in Missouri's roads. At MoDOT, the start of March means crews turn their attention to the potholes that "spring" forth as temperatures change.

"Our goal is to patch potholes as quickly as possible and get us through the transition to warmer weather," said Elizabeth Wright, MoDOT state maintenance engineer. "MoDOT's crews will repair minor road damage quickly, but we need the public's help to spot those potholes and let us know where they are."
 
There are multiple ways motorists can report potholes:
MoDOT's Customer Service Center, available 24/7, at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636).
Online - from your computer or cell phone, at modot.org. Look for "Report a Road Concern."
By e-mail: comments@modot.mo.gov.
Potholes form when temperatures warm up during the day but continue to be cold at night. Moisture from winter rain and snow constantly seeps into the cracks and joints of the roadway. When the temperatures drop at night, that water freezes and expands the pavement, which causes it to crack and bulge. As cars and trucks drive over those cracks, the pressure causes chunks of pavement to pop out, and potholes are formed.

MoDOT is responsible for all state-maintained highways in Missouri. Potholes and other damage on city and county streets should be reported to the appropriate local agency. If you aren't sure if a road is maintained by MoDOT, give the customer service center a call and one of MoDOT's customer service representatives can tell you.