Warmer weather has arrived in Saint John, and city crews are making major progress on seasonal pothole repairs and asphalt maintenance. These roadway improvements play an essential role in keeping your daily commute safe and reliable.

How the City Prioritizes Repairs

The city uses a strict system based on safety and traffic volume to dictate where crews go first. High volume roads get immediate attention. Transit routes, emergency response corridors, and direct requests from the public also heavily influence the schedule. Crews tackle residential streets as capacity permits.

Thousands of Potholes Filled

Crews have already repaired 3,285 potholes across Saint John this year. The city tracks all repairs and public service requests through a customer relationship management system. This data helps staff monitor workload trends and make better future budgeting decisions.

A major turning point for the season happened in late April when the local asphalt plant officially opened. Fully operational asphalt plants allow crews to work much more efficiently.

“The use of hot asphalt significantly speeds up how many potholes we can repair. Early in the spring, changing temperatures and freeze and thaw cycles create many potholes in a short period of time,” said Tim O’Reilly, Director of Public Works. “Before asphalt plants open, when more potholes show up, the other methods we use to fill potholes are either slower or less effective.”

Beyond Simple Patching

Road maintenance requires more than just filling holes. The overall asphalt management program in Saint John includes laying larger pads of asphalt, full road reconstruction, and annual inspections. The city also restricts heavy trucks to designated routes whenever possible to preserve the pavement.

You can help speed up the process by reporting roadway concerns directly to the city. Spring weather places extra stress on roads, and public reports help crews locate and fix new problems quickly. You can contact the Customer Service Centre at 506 658 4455 or email them to log a service request.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Saint John decide which potholes to fix first?

The city prioritizes repairs based on traffic volume and safety. High traffic routes, transit paths, and emergency corridors are fixed before residential streets.

Why do pothole repairs speed up in late spring?

The opening of local asphalt plants provides crews with hot asphalt. This material makes repairs faster and much more effective than the temporary cold patch methods used in early spring.

How can I report a pothole in my neighborhood?

You can submit a service request directly through the official City of Saint John website or call the Customer Service Centre to report road issues.