Waterloo Region is grappling with a rise in potholes due to extreme winter weather, increased snowfall, and rapid freeze-thaw cycles.
The City of Waterloo has already received 20 repair requests since the beginning of 2025, signaling a challenging season for road maintenance crews.
Kitchener is facing similar issues, with city crews repairing up to 120 potholes daily. However, Scott Berry, Kitchener’s manager of maintenance for the roads and traffic division, reminds residents that these are only temporary fixes.
“Motorists might encounter the same pothole every day and assume it hasn’t been repaired. In reality, it probably was, but because of moisture and the materials available in winter, permanent repairs aren’t possible right now,” Berry explained.
Permanent fixes will be addressed in the spring when warmer and more stable weather allows for more durable repairs.
Potholes form when melting frost creates cracks in the pavement, which are further damaged by vehicle traffic.
Berry emphasized the dual responsibilities of maintenance crews. “The same teams that plow snow also repair potholes. So whenever we’re not clearing snow, we’re actively filling potholes,” he said.
Residents are encouraged to report potholes through the City of Kitchener or City of Waterloo websites. Township roads are managed by the region, which also handles repair requests.
