Crews continue to fix U.S. 35 EB potholes; how to avoid them, potentially get reimbursed for damage

DAYTON — The Ohio Department of Transportation told drivers to be aware of a double right lane closure U.S. 35 at Smithville Road Feb. 24 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Thursday as crews repair potholes.

The Smithville southbound exit ramp will remain open.

It is unknown if the potholes are the same that caused multiple flat tires earlier in the month, or are new.

>> Report highway potholes online

INITIAL REPORT (FEB. 10):

A pothole that caused multiple cars to get flat tires on U.S. 35 Feb. 9 was repaired by ODOT the next morning.

As many as 12 cars got flat tires because of it.

>> File a claim to potentially get reimbursed from pothole damage on the highway

“This is that time of year where potholes come up,” said Sgt. Gordon Cairns with Dayton police. “It’s because of the salt, ice and the snow, and obviously plows going across these things.”

The pothole was on eastbound U.S. 35 near the Smithville Road exit.

ODOT said asphalt was shipped in from Cincinnati to make repairs.

While the pothole was repaired by about 11 a.m. Feb. 10, the right lane of U.S. 35 east was still closed while other roadwork was completed.

Corie Hamilton said they didn’t see the pothole until they hit it because of traffic.

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“As soon as it happened, we just felt the car jerk and we just knew we had to get over,” Hamilton said.

The pothole was more than three feet long and six inches deep.

WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF:

• Check tire pressure: A tire that is under or over-inflated is more susceptible to damage. Keeping your tires in tip-top shape all the time goes a long way toward protecting you and your vehicle.
• Beware of puddles: Deep, sharp-edged potholes filled with water are often disguised as puddles. Being a defensive driver and anticipating problems can help you avoid them.
• Slow down: Hitting a pothole at a slower speed generally results in less damage.
• Brake lightly: Slamming on your brakes can cause greater tire damage and also compresses your vehicle’s front-end suspension system.
• Don’t swerve: Your vehicle could hit the pothole on an odd angle, causing more damage to the tire, wheel rim and alignment.

People are able to file claims through ODOT’s reporting system if they believe damage to their vehicle was caused by a pothole, but the claim must be filed within two years of the incident, said ODOT spokesman Matt Bruning.

So far, the state has paid out $21,524.26 in 2021 pothole claims, but with the two-year window for people to report damage, Bruning said that number is likely to go up.

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