Winter’s Impact on Pavement: Why Potholes Form and Who to Call

Winter weather is tough on Hickory’s streets. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures create conditions that weaken pavement, while treatments like brine, essential for safer travel, can accelerate the damage. Together, these factors lead to cracks, potholes, and significant wear and tear on city streets, making winter one of the most challenging seasons for roadway maintenance. 

What causes potholes?

Potholes often form in winter due to precipitation, temperature swings, and road treatments that weaken pavement structure. When snow and ice melt, water seeps into cracks in the asphalt. As temperatures drop, that water freezes and expands, widening the cracks and weakening the pavement. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles, combined with the weight of vehicles, eventually break down these weak spots and create potholes.

Salt also plays a role. Before winter storms, Hickory Public Works crews apply a brine solution to major roads, bridges, and underpasses to improve safety and plowing efficiency. While effective for melting ice, brine can accelerate pavement deterioration. Water mixed with salt freezes at a lower temperature—around 15 degrees—so roads experience more freeze-thaw cycles during extreme cold. Each cycle expands cracks and compromises the asphalt, increasing the likelihood of potholes.

Winter weather can create potholes in roadways.

Reporting potholes

Potholes make driving uncomfortable and can even lead to costly vehicle repairs. If left untreated, they grow larger and become more expensive to fix. That’s why it’s important to report significant potholes as soon as possible. But who should you contact?

To report a pothole on a City-maintained street, call Public Services at 828-323-7500 or submit an online request through the Action Center. Please provide accurate details about the location so crews can respond quickly. The City’s goal is to repair reported potholes within 24 hours.

Not all streets in Hickory are City-owned. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) partners with the City of Hickory to maintain other roadways and ensure safe travel conditions.

NCDOT maintains the following major roadways and streets: