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Memphis Struggles with Pothole Crisis Impacting Drivers

A street in Memphis showing potholes and cars driving around them

News Summary

Memphis is facing a serious pothole problem that is increasingly damaging vehicles and causing anxiety among drivers. Local residents report significant repair costs after instances of hitting potholes, with one driver facing over $800 in damages. In response, the city has promoted the Memphis 311 app to report potholes, receiving nearly 5,000 requests in 2025 alone. Despite efforts to fill potholes, many remain, including hazardous spots like the I-40 Bridge. Residents emphasize the urgent need for city action to improve road conditions.

Memphis is grappling with a persistent pothole problem that continues to burden drivers, leading to rising repair costs and increased anxiety on the roads. As the city grapples with this issue, residents report alarming incidents of damage to their vehicles caused by the numerous potholes scattered throughout the streets.

A significant pothole issue was highlighted when a large pothole on South Cox Street near Harbert Avenue was blocked off for traffic control on June 20, 2025. This incident is one of many that demonstrates the dire need for urgent attention to the city’s deteriorating roads. Local drivers are increasingly voicing their concerns over experiencing damage to their cars, alongside feelings of unease while navigating the city’s roadways.

Local resident Beverly Tsacoyianis, who commutes daily in her Nissan Leaf, has expressed ongoing anxiety related to potholes on Memphis roads. She detailed her distress after hitting a pothole on Central Avenue near the Pink Palace in April, which led to tire blowouts and $600 in repair costs. This was not her first encounter with potholes; another driver, Levine, similarly faced difficulties after hitting a pothole on Southern Avenue, which resulted in $800 worth of damages to her electric vehicle’s passenger-side tires.

In addition to individual drivers, local professionals are feeling the impact of this issue. School bus operator Saqoia Dotson emphasized that potholes hinder her daily operations, creating additional obstacles. Driver Dimikio Gray also reported a costly incident where hitting a pothole damaged the rims of his new car, amounting to nearly $500 in repairs. A survey conducted among residents near Shelby View Drive revealed that while many had suffered tire damage due to potholes, only one in twenty of those interviewed had reported a pothole to the authorities.

To address these concerns, the City of Memphis is promoting its Memphis 311 app, which allows citizens to report potholes along with corresponding photographs and locations. This initiative has resulted in a substantial number of service requests in 2025. The city has received 4,990 requests specifically about potholes, successfully addressing and closing 4,952 of them. Since the beginning of the year, public works crews have filled over 32,000 potholes across Memphis.

However, the issue of potholes extends beyond the city streets. There are significant potholes on the I-40 Bridge over the Mississippi River, causing public alerts to be issued via social media cautioning drivers to avoid these hazardous areas. The Arkansas Department of Transportation is working to address the pothole situation on the I-40 bridge, with repairs expected to be completed shortly, pending favorable weather conditions.

In conclusion, while the City of Memphis is actively working to tackle the issue of potholes through various channels, residents continue to struggle with the consequences of inadequate road conditions. Increased awareness and proactive measures are essential as Memphis residents face elevated repair costs and anxiety every time they hit the road.