TELL US: Where Are the Potholes in Manasquan, Belmar Area?

Now that spring has returned to New Jersey the Department of Transportation is busy tackling pothole problems that have developed along their roadways. 

Last week a crew was hard at work along the Freehold stretch of Route 33 using a machine appropriately known as the "Pothole Killer." After a winter full of freezes and thaws Garden State roads have taken a pounding and will now be fixed to make them safer for all motorists. 

NJDOT Commissioner James Simpson said crews will be hard at work now that warmer weather is in the forecast. "The investments we are making in major roadway resurfacing and reconstruction projects are paying dividends in the form of improved roadway conditions," he said. "We have pushed up our roadway ratings from 50 percent in acceptable condition in 2010 to 59 percent today."

According to information provided by the DOT since July of 2012 crews have filled close to 94,000 potholes throughout the state. That number is expected to "rise significantly," the department said. 

As he watched crews fix potholes on Route 33 DOT Assistant Commissioner Rich Shaw said the work they are doing will help keep the roads safe and clean. "We are challenging ourselves this spring on two fronts — to respond and to repair every pothole that we observe or gets reported to us by the public, while also making a noticeable difference in the appearance of highways through a massive litter-removal in which every mile of state highway will be cleaned."

To report potholes on state roads check out the DOT website.