DES MOINES, Iowa - A giant pothole on Interstate 35 near Ankeny shut down the southbound lanes Sunday afternoon for several hours. Drivers were detoured, and then in the evening one lane was reopened while crews continued working in to the early morning hours.
In towns, drivers are dodging potholes on city streets, often veering suddently to avoid the newest craters that seem to open up without warning. Some streets feel more like obstacle courses to drivers.
"Given that this was a remarkable Winter, not just snow-wise, but temperatures and the swings back and forth, that's what really causes a lot of damage to the streets." Des Moines Public Works Director Jonathan Gano tells us.
"So when you fill a pothole, it's high, and then you run a snow plow on it, it's going to rip some of that material right out." Gano says.
He says last weekend was the worst possible combination of weather events for potholes.
"The weather from Friday to Saturday was whipsaw back and forth from freezing to rain, and so you see a lot of the material that was in the potholes, is now scattered out on the street." Gano said.
REPORT POTHOLES:
Altoona: Call Public Works Department (515) 967-5136.
Ames: Online pothole reporting CLICK HERE for online form or call Ames Public Works 515-239-5160.
Ankeny: Online reporting form CLICK HERE
Burlington: Call Public Works at (319) 753-8119
Cedar Rapids: Pothole Hotline: 319-286-5826, or e-mail atstreet@cedar-rapids.org. Please have available the street name, address and cross street with repair request.
Clive: Call Public Works Department (515) 223-6231.
Coralville: CLICK HERE for city website reporting form. CLICK HERE for info on city app
Council Bluffs: Call Public Works Operations (712) 328-4641
Davenport: call Public Works Department at 563.326.7923, Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM and 4:30 PM Or download the YourGOV app and report potholes from your smart phone. CLICK HERE for YourGOV app.
Grimes: Call Public Works at Public Works 515-986-9636 or CLICK HERE for online citizen reports
Des Moines: Call Public Works 515-283-4950. CLICK HERE for interactive form to report potholes. Des Moines also offers a smart phone app that allows you to report potholes. CLICK HERE for information on myDSMmobile
Iowa City: has a Pothole Hotline: 319-356-5181, or after hours: 319-356-5275.
Johnston: Call Public Works 515-278-0822
Marion: Public Works email or call (319) 377-6367.
Urbandale: Call Public Works 515-278-3950 or email
Waukee: Call Public Works at 515-978-7920
West Des Moines: Call Public Works Department at (515) 222-3480