We all know potholes are a major problem in every part of the metro area. An Omaha woman found that out the hard way Monday morning when her car hit a large street crater, which caused her to lose control and strike a retaining wall near 86th and Pacific.
The woman was not hurt, but her car sustained heavy damage and had to be towed. A friend of the woman's who came to the scene is thankful she wasn't hurt. " I was shocked she was okay, I'm glad she's okay. But it's very scary. You wouldn't think that a pothole could have made such big damage."
Omaha Police called Public Works officials and a street crew came and filled the pothole after the crash. Now that the weather is warming up City Street Maintenance Engineer Austin Rowser says they will try and fill as many potholes as possible.
"Unfortunately, we don't have ideal conditions just yet but we will stay on top of it the best we can."
Rowser says the wet conditions prevent them from making longer lasting repairs. He says the snow and ice melts during the day and at night settles into the cracks and holes in the pavement. It then refreezes at night when the temperatures drop.
You can't have any water in a hole for any long term patch," Rowser says. Drivers are encouraged to call the mayor's hotline to report potholes at 444-5555.