NJDOT annual statewide pothole repair campaign is underway
Moving operations and daytime lane closures can be expected
NEW JERSEY – The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has announced that its annual statewide campaign to repair potholes is now underway.
This year, the campaign is being launched in response to an unusually active winter and fluctuating temperatures, which have caused a significant increase in potholes across the state.
With temperatures shifting between above and below freezing, potholes are being created as water seeps into cracks in the asphalt, expanding when it freezes and causing damage to the road surfaces.
“The New Jersey Department of Transportation has kicked off our annual pothole campaign,” said Commissioner Fran O’Connor. “Over the next couple of months, our priority will be addressing the most significant potholes created by this winter’s weather. While our crews work year-round to maintain the highways, pothole repairs are our primary focus at this time.”
To expedite repairs, NJDOT crews across the state will be closing travel lanes when necessary during daytime hours. To minimize disruptions, crews are making every effort to schedule work between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and avoid lane closures during peak traffic times.
Variable Message Signs (VMS) will alert motorists to the ongoing repairs, and lane closures will be posted on www.511nj.org for real-time updates on repair locations. Motorists are urged to stay alert for potential delays.
As asphalt plants begin reopening, NJDOT crews will transition to more extensive permanent patching, which involves milling and paving sections of roadway. This work will generally take place overnight to minimize traffic disruptions.
In the last five fiscal years (FY20–FY24), NJDOT has repaired an average of approximately 153,000 potholes annually. This number has steadily decreased due to the Department’s emphasis on repaving state highways, which has improved the percentage of roads in good and fair condition from 47 percent in 2008 to 81 percent today. So far, in FY25, NJDOT has already repaired about 89,100 potholes, with the busiest season still ahead.
Motorists are reminded to slow down in work zones to ensure the safety of NJDOT crews. Under New Jersey’s Move Over law, drivers must move over or slow down when approaching an emergency or service vehicle stopped along the road. If it is not safe to move over, drivers should slow down.
In addition to NJDOT monitoring and repairing potholes, motorists are encouraged to report potholes they encounter. Potholes on state roads can be reported by calling 1-800-POTHOLE (1-800-768-4653) or using the online mapping feature at NJDOT’s website. Potholes on county roads or town roads should be reported to the relevant authorities. NJDOT prioritizes safety and responds quickly to pothole reports, especially those that present significant risks.
