Home > Blogs > Lola Audu > All About Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate Blog

Pothole Paranoia~ Grand Rapids, MI Drivers Could Win Cash!

By Lola Audu

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate

February 22, 2008 04:05 PM

In spite of evidence to the contrary, there are only 2 seasons in Michigan. Construction Season & Non-Construction Season. With the snow and ice that make it necessary to heavily salt our roads, the thawing and re-freezing is more than the asphalt can bear. Thus the breakdown of our road systems which becomes painfully evident to your car during the Non-Construction Season...particularly during winter.

It seems that this year has been particularly bad. I find myself feeling as though I'm weaving through traffic as I try to avoid some of the biggest Whoppers that I've seen in recent memory. These potholes are scary. Sometimes the jarring is so bad, you feel sorry for your poor car! I'm not alone.

The Grand Rapids Press announced that there is a New Contest being announced for the Photograph of the Biggest Pothole! Apparently, a lot of drivers are experiencing real frustration that our roads which used to be some of the best in the nation are now in such disrepair. But, I'm left wondering...How are people going to get those pictures? That exercise alone could be hazardous to your health!

Comments(15)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Jesse Clifton

Jesse Clifton & Associates - Fairbanks, AK

Construction Season & Non-Construction Season - We can definitely relate to that. We have short season it seems like construction equipment runs non stop... and I think it does.

Feb 22, 2008 04:31 PM

Lola Audu

Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI

Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Hi Jesse, That's really how it feels over here too, however, things do slow down considerably during winter. It seems as though as soon as one section is repaired, several more sections of roadway are in need of attention.

Feb 22, 2008 04:46 PM

Susan Walters

Keller Williams Realty, Ann Arbor, MI - Ann Arbor, MI

Lola, as a fellow Michigander, I understand completely. We had a rural "pothole" that was sneakily deceptive over the last week or two. It snaked across the road at about one foot wide but was not visible until you were right on top of it. The road commission finally put up orange saw horses on the sides of the road and today it was filled in with something. That helped, but it really could have broken an axle if you hit it unsuspectingly. At minimum, we have thrown alignment out and blown tires. I have seen vehicles with broken axles on the side of the roads here. Not pretty at all.

Feb 22, 2008 05:06 PM

Diane Aurit

LKN Realty, LLC - Mooresville, NC

Lake Norman Real Estate

We have construction year round here but definitely share the pothole issues as we did in California. There used to be a pothole hot-line in LA! I must admit it will be interesting to see HOW your drivers get photos of these potholes without created hazards. Let us know who wins!

Feb 22, 2008 11:29 PM

Andrew Trevino

ADT Real Estate - Wilkes Barre, PA

Wilkes-Barre Homes For Sale

Lola,

This is also the story of our streets in North East Pennsylvania. We have the potholes, but we also get the mine subsidences, where whole sections of our streets drop away. It does make for a very bumpy ride in some areas.

Feb 22, 2008 11:33 PM

Karen Webster...Grand Rapids, MI Realtor

5 Star Real Estate, Grand Rapids MI - Grand Rapids, MI

Oh, man, we've got some giants. I guess the upside is that it encourages slower driving. Otherwise your vehicle may shake apart.

Feb 23, 2008 01:51 AM

Michelle Gordon

JH Realty Partners - Ada, MI

Finding Your Place

Okay, I called one in the other day...........for locals, it is at Burton and Blain..........huge. It is as wide as the 2 lanes...........and probably just as deep! They did fill it in (somewhat) after I called.

My friend has gotten 2 flat tires so far this year from the pot holes.........

However moving here from PA, who has the standing vote by all truck drivers, worst roads ever......I can deal with it, but I am ready for spring now!

Feb 23, 2008 02:05 AM

Billnulls Blog Florida Realty Professional

Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL

AHWD

Lola - Pothole city HAS TO BE North Port, down in Sarasota County! I have never see a city with so many potholes in the streets before in my life!!!!

Feb 23, 2008 02:10 PM

Susan...those kind of potholes are particularly terrible. You can't avoid them because you don't see them. From the comments, it looks like this problem is critical in a number of states. This has been the worst I've seen it in Michigan for a long time, if ever.

Feb 23, 2008 02:26 PM

Diane, If there was a pothole hotline...it would be continually busy, :)

Feb 23, 2008 02:27 PM

Andrew...an entire section of pavement dropping away...Wow! That would be somewhat scary. Thanks for making me grateful for the potholes...at least the majority of the road is still there. :)

Feb 23, 2008 02:29 PM

Karen, driving to avoid the potholes is interesting. I've learned to observe the maneuvering of the cars ahead of me. Sometimes, though...you just can't avoid them.

Feb 23, 2008 02:30 PM

Hi Michelle, I was really surprised to hear that Pennsylvannia is worse than Michigan! One of the worst stretches I've been on recently is on Covell NW north of Lake Michigan Drive.

Feb 23, 2008 02:34 PM

Hi Bill & Barbara Jo...LOL...Maybe this could be expanded to a national contest. :)

Feb 23, 2008 02:35 PM

* Rate A Home

Rate A Home - Saugatuck, MI

Lola, only in West Michigan could we risk our lives to win some dough from pot holes! LOL

Feb 23, 2008 02:57 PM

Pothole Paranoia~ Grand Rapids, MI Drivers Could Win Cash!

Comments(15)

Lola Audu

Real Estate Resources

Recent Posts

Additional Information