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'We almost blew a tire': Vancouverites report 339 potholes following deep freeze

What you need to know about the city and this common winter hazard.
Elana Shepert
Elana Shepert
pothole-vancouver-street-repair
Potholes are caused by freezing and thawing during seasonal changes on older road surfaces and this year extremely cold temperatures caused many of them. Bob Kronbauer/Vancouver Is Awesome

Vancouverites have reported hundreds of potholes after temperatures warmed up following an extreme deep freeze in the region. 

Potholes are caused by regular freezing and thawing during seasonal changes and usually occur on older road surfaces, Amy Sidwell, Manager of Street Operations for the City of Vancouver, told Vancouver Is Awesome.

And while temperatures plummeted drastically below the seasonal averages before the holidays -- temperatures felt as cold as -22 C with the wind chill -- the city received fewer service requests for pothole repairs this year over last. 

This year, the city received 339 service requests in the 10 days following the extreme cold, while the 10 days following the extreme cold over the 2021/2022 holidays saw a staggering 646 requests, explained Sidwell. 

Road safety is a key priority for the city and street operations crews have been working hard to repair the "growing number" of potholes.

Potholes situated on key arteries of the city are prioritized but "more extensive road damage from the freeze/thaw of pavement may require bigger repairs than a pothole repair," she noted. 

"These are repaired once [the] weather improves."

How does the city repair potholes?

Potholes in Vancouver are typically repaired by filling the pothole with hot asphalt, packing it down so that it's level with the road surface, and adding sand on top to prevent sticking, described Sidwell. 

For more significant potholes or other damage, more complex repair techniques may be required.

Since potholes are a common winter hazard, drivers should try to avoid them while keeping road safety in mind. If it isn’t safe to avoid one, however, do not brake suddenly. Instead, lower your speed to reduce damage from the impact.

Have a look at some potholes locals spotted around Metro Vancouver. 

While Vancouver's streets and roads are in the jurisdiction of the city and managed and maintained by our Street Operations branch within Engineering Services, bridges, and the Stanley Park Causeway are managed by the B.C. Ministry of Transportation.

Locals are advised to directly report the potholes in this area to Miller Capilano by calling 1.866.918.1010 ext 1.

Please report any potholes you see in Vancouver at the Van311 app or by calling 311.