Pesky pothole problems persist

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) - More potholes are popping up on highways throughout Hampton Roads. VDOT said some are from last Winter's snow - the temporary patches are popping out and others are fresh potholes formed during the downpours two weeks ago.

"There are far too many and they need to be fixed," moaned one driver.

"I pay enough taxes, they ought to be fixed," griped another.

But, VDOT said crews have completed permanent pothole fixes on Rt. 264 in Portsmouth from the Downtown Tunnel out to Rt. 664, Rt. 464 in Chesapeake and Rt. 264 in Bowers Hill to the Downtown Tunnel.

Right now VDOT is working on a permanent pothole fix for I-64 from Bowers Hill to the Highrise Bridge in Chesapeake. And the project next on the priority list is I-264 from the Downtown Tunnel to Virginia Beach, the I-64 interchange. That is slated for a permanent pothole fix in the spring.

VDOT spokeswoman Lauren Hansen said crews will quickly respond to requests for temporary patches, but there is a much longer process to complete a permanent fix that involves engineers and designers, then the project going out for bid. The state also has to secure a funding stream for that specific project.