Politics & Government

It's Pothole Season

With the snow behind us, Public Works revs up to fix potholes and here's what you need to know.

According to AAA, potholes, which can be a sign of spring, are also a pesky burden to drivers. "The thaw-freeze-thaw cycle that creates pavement breakup in roadways," reports AAA, "can cause vehicle damage, contribute to tire wear, and just give motorists overall panic attacks."

Locally, is preparing to patch potholes and does so on an as-needed-basis according to . Legitimate service requests from residents regarding pothole concerns on town roads should be directd to Public Works via phone at  203-488-4156 or via email to publicworks@branford-ct.gov

It's also important to note that the town does not perform maintence to state roads. Below is a list of state roads; Residents can inquire about repairs to state roads by calling 203-488-8450.

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Here is a list of state roads owned and managed by the CTDOT:

Blackstone Avenue (Rt. 146)

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Branford Connector

Brushy Plain Road

Cedar Street

East Main Street (Rt. 1)

Elizabeth Street (Rt. 146)

Hotchkiss Grove Road

Leetes Island Road (Rt. 146)

Limewood Avenue (Rt. 146)

Main Street (Rt. 146)

Montowese Street (Rt. 146)

North Branford Road (Rt. 139)

North Main Street (Rt. 1)

Pine Orchard Road

Service Road

Shore Drive

Short Beach Road (Rt. 142)

South Main Street (Rt. 146)

South Montowese Street (Rt. 146)

Stony Creek Road (Rt. 146)

Totoket Road (Rt. 146)

West Main Street (Rt. 1)

To help motorists navigate Connecticut roadways this season, AAA offers this ‘prescription’ for potholes:

Look Ahead – Make a point to check the road ahead for potholes. Stay focused. Look well ahead of the front of your car so you have time to react if needed. Before you swerve to avoid a pothole, make sure you check surrounding traffic.

Slow Down – If a pothole can’t be avoided, safely reduce your speed. Be sure to check your rearview mirror before any abrupt braking. Just before you roll into the pothole, release the brake. Hitting a pothole at higher speeds or with locked brakes greatly increases the chances of damaging your tires, wheels and suspension components.

Beware of Puddles – A puddle can disguise a deep pothole. Treat them as though they may be hiding potholes.

Oops, too late! Now what?

Check Your Alignment – Hitting a pothole can knock a car’s wheels out of alignment and affect the steering. If a vehicle pulls to the left or right, have the wheel alignment checked by a qualified technician. Have the technician perform a thorough inspection of the steering and suspension components.

Recognize Noises/Vibrations – A hard pothole impact can dislodge wheel weights, damage a tire or wheel; and bend or even break suspension components. Any new or unusual noises or vibrations that appear after hitting a pothole should be inspected immediately by a certified technician.

Inspect Your Tires – The tire is the most important connection between your vehicle and the road. Inspect your tires for damage, cuts and bruises. Make sure you have both sufficient tread and proper inflation.  To check the tread depth, insert a quarter into the tread groove with Washington’s head upside down. The tread should cover part of Washington’s head. If it doesn’t, then it’s time to start shopping for new tires. When checking tire pressure, ensure they’re inflated to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended levels. This number can be found in the owner’s manual or on a placard on the driver’s door jamb.

— provided by AAA of Connecticut

 


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