News Summary
Memphis faces a persistent pothole crisis, causing distress for drivers and leading to costly damages. Residents report dangerous road conditions, and the city has received numerous complaints. Despite efforts to fill potholes, new ones continue to emerge, raising concerns about the effectiveness of maintenance efforts. Calls for better solutions to address this cyclical issue are growing among the community, with many still not reporting damages to the city’s Public Works department.
Memphis is currently facing a significant issue with potholes on its roadways, causing distress for numerous drivers and leading to costly vehicle damage. Residents have reported dangerous road conditions, highlighting a persistent struggle between the cityโs maintenance efforts and the overwhelming number of pothole-related complaints.
On June 20, 2025, a large pothole on South Cox Street near Harbert Avenue was blocked off for traffic control, exemplifying the ongoing challenges Memphis is facing. Local resident Beverly Tsacoyianis, who is a history professor, expressed anxiety while driving due to the increasing number of potholes on major thoroughfares. Last summer, she hit a pothole on Southern Avenue, which resulted in two blown passenger-side tires and incurred repair costs totaling $800. In April, she encountered another damaging pothole on Central Avenue near the Pink Palace, which led to an additional $600 in repair expenses for similar tire damage.
Many others in Memphis share Tsacoyianis’ frustrations, including school bus operator Saqoia Dotson, who has also felt the negative impact of potholes on her daily driving. Dimikio Gray recounted an instance where hitting a pothole resulted in damage to his new rims and tire, costing nearly $500 in repairs. Multiple potholes were observed on Shelby View Drive, where residents noted that the conditions of the roads have recently deteriorated and have battered tires.
Despite the growing frustration among residents regarding road conditions, a significant number have not reported potholes to the city’s Public Works department. Out of 20 residents interviewed, only one had ever submitted a pothole complaint. The city encourages residents to report potholes through the Memphis 311 app, which allows for simple service request submissions. In the year 2025 alone, the city has received 4,990 service requests regarding potholes, and it has successfully closed 4,952 of those requests.
Since the beginning of 2025, Memphis Public Works crews have filled over 32,000 potholes throughout the city. However, despite their efforts, the persistent emergence of new potholes presents a significant challenge for city officials and maintenance crews alike. As drivers continue to express concern over the state of Memphis’ roadways, it raises questions about the long-term effectiveness of the city’s pothole repair solutions.
Residents are calling for more substantial resolutions to what seems to be a cyclical issue, as ongoing maintenance efforts struggle to keep pace with the deterioration of roads. The consistency of potholes has become a pronounced threat not only to vehicle health but also to the safety of drivers navigating these treacherous road conditions.
In conclusion, the issue of potholes in Memphis remains critical and complex. While city crews have been active in responding to the heavy volume of service requests, the permanent resolution of this problem appears challenging. City officials and residents alike are hoping for improved road conditions as they continue to navigate through the hurdles presented by Memphis’ crumbling infrastructure.
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Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the areaโwith deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
