How to Report Potholes in Philadelphia

Potholes cause damage to vehicles and can even be the underlying cause of more serious accidents as drivers swerve to avoid them or pop out of them startled and shaky. Sinkholes, potholes, road ruts and gullies are pervasive roadway problems across the country. Under its “Operation Smooth Streets” initiative, the City of Philadelphia has an effective plan of action to locate and repair potholes before they wreak havoc. If you fall victim to one of the city’s swallowing holes, take a minute to report it so those following in your wake won’t suffer the same fate.

Instructions

1. Locate a pothole. You'll notice it for sure when you either bump right into it or just miss it by swerving wildly.

2. Note the address. The street name is important, as are any cross roads. If you can, find the number on the building closest to the pothole. Being as specific as you can will assure that Smooth Streets targets that pothole and not another of the roadway’s pockmarks.

3. Report the pothole and its location by calling the Smooth Streets Customer Affairs Unit at [phone].

4. Go online to the potholes website (see Resources). Go to “Click Here to Report a Street Defect.”

5. Fill in the address of the pothole along with a description of the road condition. Include your name, phone number and email address in case city workers need to verify the information you provided.

Tips & Warnings

• Citizen reports of potholes received by 2:00 p.m. are repaired by the next business day. If the pothole reported is on a state-maintained roadway, the city will forward the information to the appropriate state level department.

• Accurate address information is the only way to assure repair. Be as exact as you can, specifying denotations such as the Avenue, Street or Road.

Resources

• Smooth Streets Website