The Highway Department crews repair potholes on 130 lane miles of streets in neighborhoods throughout the Town all year long. The months of December through April are considered the heart of the pothole season—when the Town typically sees the highest number of potholes. However, crews work throughout the spring, summer and fall as well.

      Highway Department uses several techniques that enable the department to fill Hundreds of potholes each year

They include:

              • Potholes that have been reported to the Highway Garage.

              • The use of high-performance cold-patch asphalt material for pothole repairs during the winter months and hot mix asphalt in spring, summer and fall.

Pothole FAQ“s

What should I do when I see a pothole?

Contact the Highway Department Main Garage at 716-692-3508.

What causes potholes?

Potholes are caused by the freeze-thaw cycle. When moisture seeps into pavement, it expands when it freezes and contracts when it thaws. This flexing of the pavement, combined with the melted water and the stress of vehicular traffic, causes pavement to deteriorate and potholes to form.

Where do potholes occur?

Town of Wheatfield has over 130 lane miles of streets, and potholes can occur on any one of them. Potholes tend to appear most on arterial streets (which carry the most vehicles).

How does the Highway Department battle potholes?

Highway Department has an aggressive program to tackle potholes. The department employees are constantly monitoring the condition of the roads and identifing pothole locations and schedule crews most efficiently.

How long does a pothole repair last?

It depends on many factors, including traffic volume. Repairs can last a few days, a few weeks, a few months or more. Highway Department uses a high-performance cold patch material formulated to maintain its workability longer, when hot asphalt is not available. We try to limit its use as much as possible as hot asphalt patching is a better long term solution.

How long does it take to fill a pothole?

It varies, but repairs are generally completed within a few days from the first report of a pothole to the Highway Department. Weather influences how long a repair takes especially when frigid temps and precipitation prevent our full force of crews from performing repairs. The location of the pothole also influences the time required to repair arterial streets are completed before residential streets. During peak winter months, duration times usually rise.

Which potholes get fixed first?

Highway Department priority is arterial streets—larger streets that carry the heaviest volumes of traffic. A repair on an arterial street that carries thousands of vehicles daily will take priority over a residential street that carries far fewer vehicles. However, all potholes are important to us, and every pothole reported to Highway Department will be fixed.

Does the Highway Department do anything to prevent potholes?

Absolutely. Each year, Highway Department rehabilitates dozens of miles of arterial and residential streets. Repaving extends the lifespan of a street many years. This repaving helps us stay ahead of the pothole problem.