Hickory – Winter weather is tough on Hickory’s streets. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures create conditions that weaken pavement, while treatments like brine, essential for safer travel, can accelerate the damage. Together, these factors lead to cracks, potholes, and significant wear and tear on city streets, making winter one of the most challenging seasons for roadway maintenance.

What causes potholes?

Potholes often form in winter due to precipitation, temperature swings, and road treatments that weaken pavement structure. When snow and ice melt, water seeps into cracks in the asphalt. As temperatures drop, that water freezes and expands, widening the cracks and weakening the pavement. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles, combined with the weight of vehicles, eventually break down these weak spots and create potholes.

Salt also plays a role. Before winter storms, Hickory Public Works crews apply a brine solution to major roads, bridges, and underpasses to improve safety and plowing efficiency. While effective for melting ice, brine can accelerate pavement deterioration. Water mixed with salt freezes at a lower temperature—around 15 degrees—so roads experience more freeze-thaw cycles during extreme cold. Each cycle expands cracks and compromises the asphalt, increasing the likelihood of potholes.

Reporting potholes

Potholes make driving uncomfortable and can even lead to costly vehicle repairs. If left untreated, they grow larger and become more expensive to fix. That’s why it’s important to report significant potholes as soon as possible.

But who should you contact?

To report a pothole on a City-maintained street, call Public Services at 828-323-7500 or submit an online request through the Action Center. Please provide accurate details about the location so crews can respond quickly. The City’s goal is to repair reported potholes within 24 hours.

Not all streets in Hickory are City-owned. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) partners with the City of Hickory to maintain other roadways and ensure safe travel conditions.

NCDOT maintains the following major roadways and streets:

I-40

U.S. 70

N.C. 127

Catawba Valley Blvd

Clement Blvd NW

Cloninger Mill Rd

Fairgrove Church Rd

Highland Ave NE

Lenoir Rhyne Blvd

McDonald Parkway

Old Lenoir Rd

Springs Rd

16th St NE (Sandy Ridge Rd)

1st Ave SW and 1st Ave SE

Wandering Ln

U.S. 321

Tate Blvd

Startown Rd

Short Rd

2nd Ave NW and 2nd Ave SW

3rd Ave NW and 3rd Ave Dr NW

4th St SW

9th Ave Dr NW

12th Ave NE

21st St Dr SE (Sweetwater Rd)

22nd St Pl NE

29th Ave NE and 29th Ave Dr NE

30th Ave Dr NW

39th Ave Dr NW

8th St Dr SE

24th St NE

NCDOT is committed to repairing potholes on state-maintained roads within two business days when they are reported using the online pothole reporting system. For other issues or concerns about state-maintained roads, contact NCDOT or call 1-877-DOT-4YOU (1-800-368-4368) on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Help keep Hickory’s roads safe and in top condition by reporting potholes to the appropriate agency so repairs can be made quickly.

Photo: City of Hickory Public Works crews repair a pothole in the street.