'Tis the roller coaster season of potholes

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (WTXF) - The roller coaster weather isn't just affecting your health. It's also a problem on the road. Potholes are a problem opening up all over the city. Driving in Center City, it doesn't take long to bump in and out of a number of potholes. Drivers need to be cautious.

There is really no way to avoid the dreaded pothole at this time of year.

"Potholes are opening up because of the heat cold cycle. We are getting bigger and bigger potholes now," said Tom Flora with Evan's Gulf Station.

That's right, the freeze and thaw cycle brought to us by Mother Nature creates the road hazard every year.

"It sounds like my wheel is going to fall off," said driver Lisa Tum.

That's the last thing anyone wants to happen. And drivers have yet another major distraction trying to steer clear of potholes.

"This is the tire off of an F-350. He hit a pothole and as soon as he hit it, it destroyed the tire," said James Mnieczkowski, a mechanic.

"We are getting suspension problems, broken springs, broken shocks, broken tires, bent rims. The norms of hitting a pothole," explained Flora.

"I think there's plenty of them and they need to fix them. Some are as big as craters," said Mary Lamotta, a driver.

Road crews have already been out there this winter, patching holes. But, one gets filled and another opens up somewhere else. Those fixed right now are filled with a gravel mix. Crews can make proper repairs when it gets warmer.

"They're really bad, but I come by this way so much, I know where they are," said Tum.

"I've seen people try to avoid a pothole. They come in and say 'I tried to miss the pothole and I ran into the curb.' So they still got damage," Minieczkowski said.

No simple solution. When people see potholes in the city, report them by calling 311.

On a state road or highway, call 1-800-FIX-ROAD. Use caution and slow down. Replacing a tire or a rim can be expensive.