Potholes Ruining Your Ride? Here’s How to Tell VDOT

After the snow comes the inevitable potholes.

Rather than getting mad, get active — as in tell the Virginia Department of Transportation (or whomever is responsible for the street) the pothole’s location and get on the fix-it list.

First, determine who is responsible for the road. Most of the major arteries in Fairfax County are in VDOT’s jurisdiction, but check out this map that will show you who maintains every street in the county. Fairfax County itself is not responsible for pothole fixes.

You can then access VDOT’s new online reporting tool, which makes it easier to pinpoint exactly where you see a pothole. You can also report potholes directly from your mobile device and include images (but don’t try this while driving, of course).

You can also call VDOT at 800-FOR-ROAD to report potholes or ask who maintains a road.

So which roads in Reston are not VDOT roads?

• Dulles Toll Road, contact the Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority.
• Many private roads are maintained by businesses, apartment/condo complexes, homeowner/civic associations or residents. If you know there’s a pothole on a road that’s privately maintained, contact your HOA or the business that’s responsible.

Photo: pothole/file photo