NEW: Providence’s Growing Pothole Problem
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
GoLocalProv News Team
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Many downtown Providence streets have become difficult to safely navigate due to the formation of potholes
If you've driven around Providence lately, you have likely dodged your fair share of potholes. Many of these gaping chasms in the road seem like they could swallow a vehicle whole.
Potholes are often the bane of drivers in Providence, especially during the winter, when weather conditions in the snowy, waterfront city make it easy for potholes to form. As the roads thaw and freeze, water builds up underneath the soil and weakens the pavement. As cars traverse back and forth, the pavement weakens until it cracks and comes dislodged, forming the potholes we have all come to know.
Somewhere Between Bridgeport and Baghdad
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When former State Representative and WPRO radio host John Loughlin was asked to comment on his on-air statement that the roads in Providence were in as poor condition as the roads he saw in Baghdad during the years he served in active duty in Iraq. "That statement is not correct," replied Loughlin, laughing. "The streets in Baghdad are in far better condition." Loughlin went on to call Baghdad's streets "infinitely better" than Providence's.
Though Providence drivers can complain of their fair share of bad roads, they are not amongst the very worst of any urban area in the nation. That dubious honor goes to Los Angeles, which was judged to have 64 percent of its roads in poor conditions in a study released by TRIP, a national transportation research group, in 2013. Connecticut cities Bridgeport and Stamford placed highest on the list in New England, with 51 percent of its roads said to be in poor condition. Nearby New Haven, Springfield, Boston, and Hartford all placed inside the top twenty.
What to Do if You Experience Car Damage
If you or your vehicle have sustained injury due to a pothole in Providence, you can file a claim for compensation with the City Clerk's office.. Claims must be completed within seven days after the date of the incident, as per Rhode Island law. Claims must be submitted along with copies of no less than two independent estimates of damage on the car, in addition to any other documents pertaining to the claim, including medical bills.
See out how to file a claim with the City Clerk here.
And to read more about the roads of Providence and the rest of New England, check out GoLocal's series on The Most Dangerous Intersections in New England right here.
Related Slideshow: 60 Most Dangerous Intersections in New England - 2014
Using the most recent available data, GoLocalProv has compiled a list of the Most Dangerous Intersections in New England.
See the methodology here
Since different states chose different time spans in which to accumulate their data (3-10 years), GoLocal standardized the tallies to a 3-year sum.
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#60
Seymour, CT
Rt. 8 MM 18.58-18.81
Total Crashes: 11
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 5
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 6
Source: CT DOT
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#59
Wethersfield, CT
Rt. 287 Mile Marker 1.58 (Near Rte 287 + Merritt Parkway)
Total Crashes: 22
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 6
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 16
Source: CT DOT
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#58
Vernon, CT
Rt. 83 Mile Marker 11.80-11.89 (Route 83 + Route 30)
Total Crashes: 25
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 7
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 18
Source: CT DOT
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#57
Hudson, NH
NH 111 (Ferry St.) + NH 3A (Chester St./Derry Rd.)
Total Crashes: 27.6
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 7.5
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 20.1
Source: NH DOT
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#56
Tilton, NH
US 3 (Laconia Rd.) + NH 140 (Tilton Rd.)/1-93 NB Ex 20 Ramps)
Total Crashes: 20.7
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 8.7
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 12
Source: NH DOT
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#55
Nashua, NH
Main St. + Canal St./Franklin St.
Total Crashes: 24.6
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 9.3
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 15.3
Photo: Flickr/Bettyx1138
Source: NH DOT
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#54
Nashua, NH
Main St. + NH 111 (Spring St./Kinsley St.)
Total Crashes: 23.1
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 9.6
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 13.5
Source: NH DOT
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#53
Salem, NH
NH 28 (N/S Broadway) + NH 38/NH 97 (Main St.)
Total Crashes: 22.5
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 10.2
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 12.3
Source: NH DOT
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#52
Bridgeport, CT
Rt. 127 Mile Marker 1.02 (Rte 127 + Stillman St)
Total Crashes: 18
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 11
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 7
Source: CT DOT
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#51
Concord, NH
NH 9 (Loudon Rd.) + D'Amante Dr. (Steeplegate Mall)
Total Crashes: 21.6
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 10.5
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 11.1
Source: NH DOT
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#50
Williston, VT
94 US-2 + VT-2A
Total Crashes: 43.8
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 8.4
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 38.4
Source: VT DOT
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#49
Manchester, NH
Bridge St. + NH 285 (Beech St.)
Total Crashes: 20.7
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 12.6
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 8.1
Source: NH DOT
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#48
Concord, NH
NH 9 (Loudon Rd.) + Fort Eddy Rd./I-93 NB Ex 14 Off-Ramp
Total Crashes: 29.4
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 11.7
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 17.7
Source: NH DOT
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#47
Berlin, VT
23 VT-62 + Berlin State Highway: Fisher Rd.
Total Crashes: 37.2
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 10.2
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 30
Source: VT DOT
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#46
Bridgeport, CT
Rt. 127 Mile Marker .64 (Rte 127 + Barnum Ave)
Total Crashes: 31
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 12
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 19
Source: CT DOT
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#45
Nashua, NH
Main St. + East Hollis St./West Hollis St.
Total Crashes: 24.9
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 14.1
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 10.8
Source: NH DOT
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#44
Burlington, VT
11 US-7 + Main St., US-2
Total Crashes: 49.2
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 10.2
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 42
Source: VT DOT
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#43
Waterbury, CT
Rt. 69 MM 18.39-18.49
Total Crashes: 55
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 14
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 41
Source: CT DOT
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#42
Portland, ME
Fort Ave., Hartley St. + Forest Ave., Holly St.
Total Crashes: 45
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 21
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 23
Source: ME DOT
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#41
Portland, ME
Fore River Pkwy. + Valley St., W. Commercial St.
Total Crashes: 64
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 18
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 46
Source: ME DOT
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#40
Manchester, NH
NH 285 (Beech St.) + Cilley Rd.
Total Crashes: 20.4
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 23.4
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 8.7
Source: NH DOT
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#39
Portland, ME
Allen Ave., Entrance to McDonalds + Z Rd., Forest Ave.
Total Crashes: 58
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 20
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 38
Source: ME DOT
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#38
Westbrook, ME
Cumberland St. + Warren Ave.
Total Crashes: 83
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 17
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 66
Source: ME DOT
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#37
Wallingford, CT
Rt. 5 MM 9.35-9.36
Total Crashes: 51
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 22
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 29
Source: CT DOT
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#36
Berkshire, VT
4 FAS 0302, FAS 0307 + Town Rd. 0004
Total Crashes: 3.6
Fatal Crashes: 0.6
Injury Crashes: 3.6
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 0.6
Source: VT DOT
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#35
Williston, VT
67 US-2 + Industrial Ave.
Total Crashes: 20.4
Fatal Crashes: 0.6
Injury Crashes: 3
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 18
Photo: Flickr/Craig O'Neal
Source: VT DOT
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#34
Augusta, ME
Memorial Circle + Western Ave.
Total Crashes: 107
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 19
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 88
Source: ME DOT
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#33
Burlington, VT
35 Main St. + St. Paul St.
Total Crashes: 18
Fatal Crashes: 0.6
Injury Crashes: 4.8
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 13.2
Source: VT DOT
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#32
Hartford, VT
7 US-5 + VT-14, US-4
Total Crashes: 31.8
Fatal Crashes: 0.6
Injury Crashes: 3.6
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 28.2
Source: VT DOT
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#31
Burlington, VT
5 Colchester Ave. + Barrett St.
Total Crashes: 20.4
Fatal Crashes: 0.6
Injury Crashes: 5.4
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 15
Source: VT DOT
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#30
Augusta, ME
Bangor St. + Cony Circle, Cony St.
Total Crashes: 126
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 19
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 106
Photo: Flickr/Peter Gene
Source: ME DOT
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#29
Winooski City, VT
2 US-7, E. Canal St. + W. Allen St., VT-15, W. Center St.
Total Crashes: 103.2
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 22.8
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 86.4
Source: VT DOT
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#28
Augusta, ME
Ramp off to Western Ave. + Western Ave.
Total Crashes: 99
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 26
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 73
Source: ME DOT
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#27
Lowell, MA
Bridge St. + Veterans of Foreign Wars Highway
Total Crashes: 112
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 34
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 78
Photo: Flickr/Peter Gene
Source: MA DOT
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#26
Hartford, CT
Rt. 44 Mile Marker 53.63 (Route 44 & Main St)
Total Crashes: 129
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 38
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 91
Source: CT DOT
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#25
Holyoke, MA
Holyoke St. + Holyoke Mall at Ingleside
Total Crashes: 198
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 29
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 169
Source: MA DOT
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#24
Lowell, MA
Veterans of Foreign Wars Highway + Varnum Ave.
Total Crashes: 165
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 37
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 128
Source: MA DOT
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#23
Lewiston, ME
Old Greene Rd. + Randall Rd., Sabattus St.
Total Crashes: 33
Fatal Crashes: 1
Injury Crashes: 9
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 23
Photo: Flickr/Perthhdproductions
Source: ME DOT
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#22
Bangor, ME
Broadway, Hobart St. + Broadway, Burleigh Rd., Griffin Rd.
Total Crashes: 33
Fatal Crashes: 1
Injury Crashes: 13
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 19
Photo: Flickr/Ajimaxx
Source: ME DOT
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#21
Rutland City, VT
47 US-7 + US-4
Total Crashes: 40.2
Fatal Crashes: 1.2
Injury Crashes: 6
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 35.4
Photo: Flickr/Doug Kerr
Source: VT DOT
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#20
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts Ave. + Vassar St.
Total Crashes: 41
Fatal Crashes: 1
Injury Crashes: 19
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 21
Photo: Flickr/The_th
Source: MA DOT
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#19
Worcester, MA
Main St. + Mill St.
Total Crashes: 53
Fatal Crashes: 1
Injury Crashes: 18
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 34
Photo: Flickr/jburwen
Source: MA DOT
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#18
Holyoke, MA
Main St. + Cabot St.
Total Crashes: 57
Fatal Crashes: 1
Injury Crashes: 18
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 38
Photo: Flickr/Nanypinya
Source: MA DOT
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#17
Waltham, MA
Main St. + Lyman St.
Total Crashes: 73
Fatal Crashes: 1
Injury Crashes: 18
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 54
Source: MA DOT
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#16
Bridgton, ME
Portland Rd., Willis Park Rd. + Portland Rd., Sandy Creek Rd.
Total Crashes: 20
Fatal Crashes: 2
Injury Crashes: 6
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 12
Photo: Flickr/gillicious
Source: ME DOT
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#15
Lincoln, RI
Interstate 295 + Exit 9 (RI 146)
Total Crashes: 160
Fatal Crashes: 1
Injury Crashes: 36
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 123
Photo: Flickr/Doug Kerr
Source: RI DOT
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#14
Stoughton, MA
Canton St. + School St.
Total Crashes: 39
Fatal Crashes: 2
Injury Crashes: 10
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 27
Photo: Flickr/Peter Gene
Source: MA DOT
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#13
Chelsea, MA
Revere Beach Pkwy. + Washington Ave.
Total Crashes: 39
Fatal Crashes: 2
Injury Crashes: 11
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 26
Photo: Flickr/Bettyx1138
Source: MA DOT
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#12
Warwick, RI
RI 37 + US 1 (Post Rd.)
Total Crashes: 293
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 69
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 224
Photo: Flickr/eliduke
Source: RI DOT
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#11
North Smithfield, RI
RI 146 + Sayles Hill Rd.
Total Crashes: 193
Fatal Crashes: 1
Injury Crashes: 37
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 155
Source: RI DOT
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#10
Warwick, RI
Interstate 95 + Exit 14 (RI 37)/Exit 15 (Jefferson Blvd.)
Total Crashes: 181
Fatal Crashes: 1
Injury Crashes: 50
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 130
Photo: Flickr/ER24 EMS (Pty) Ltd.
Source: RI DOT
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#9
Johnston, RI
Interstate 295 + Exit 6 (US 6/US 6A)
Total Crashes: 179
Fatal Crashes: 1
Injury Crashes: 54
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 124
Photo: Flickr/Doug Kerr
Source: RI DOT
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#8
Cranston, RI
RI 2 Reservoir Ave. + RI 12 (Park Ave.)
Total Crashes: 234
Fatal Crashes: 1
Injury Crashes: 47
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 186
Source: RI DOT
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#7
Hopkinton, RI
RI 138 (Spring St.) + Wincheck Pond Rd. to Soap House Ln.
Total Crashes: 4
Fatal Crashes: 3
Injury Crashes: 0
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 1
Source: RI DOT
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#6
Middletown, CT
Rt. 17 MM 21.55-22.14
Total Crashes: 372
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 107
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 265
Source: CT DOT
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#5
Charlestown, RI
US Post Rd. SB + Kings Factory Rd. to RI 216 (Ross Hill Rd.)
Total Crashes: 51
Fatal Crashes: 3
Injury Crashes: 8
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 40
Source: RI DOT
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#4
Providence, RI
Interstate 95 + Exit 18 (Thurbers Ave.)
Total Crashes: 296
Fatal Crashes: 1
Injury Crashes: 79
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 216
Source: RI DOT
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#3
Somerville, MA
Mystic Ave. + Fellsway
Total Crashes: 91
Fatal Crashes: 3
Injury Crashes: 24
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 64
Source: MA DOT
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#2
Pawtucket, RI
Interstate 95 + Exit 29 (US 1/Broadway/Cottage St.)
Total Crashes: 191
Fatal Crashes: 2
Injury Crashes: 55
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 134
Source: RI DOT
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#1
New Haven, CT
Merritt Parkway Mile Marker 46.42-47.03
Total Crashes: 561
Fatal Crashes: 0
Injury Crashes: 125
Crashes with Property Damage Only: 436
Source: CT DOT
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