The winter of 2026 has taken its toll on roadways across Pennsylvania. PennDOT officials said crews will be actively repairing roads with potholes across five counties in our region: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia.
According to a New Hope Free Press report, PennDOT’s District 6 office, which includes the Philly region, has received more than 2,100 pothole and other roadway complaints since the start of this year. Crews have already used 660 tons of asphalt trying to keep up with the road-repair demand.
According to PennDOT’s website, winter freeze-thaw cycles our region has been experiencing drive road surface deterioration as water seeps under pavement, freezes and expands, then thaws, creating hollow spaces that crack and collapse under traffic.
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During the winter months, PennDOT workers use “cold patch” material, which offers a short-term solution. The mixture of asphalt, soap, water, and fine stones is flexible and easy to apply, solidifying only when the liquid elements in the mixture evaporate. As warmer temperatures arrive, crews can use “warm mix” asphalt, a combination of pure asphalt and stone heated to 250-265 degrees.
“The permanent repair process is more technical than the winter patching,” explained Alex Irving of the Free Press. “Crews must cut the pothole into a square shape and clean it thoroughly before applying a ‘tack coat’ of asphalt to serve as a bonding agent. Once the warm mix is placed, it is compacted with a roller to ensure the patch is durable and level with the surrounding road.”