If it feels like the streets are smoother but you still keep dodging that same crater on your block, you’re not imagining things. Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration has filled more than 102,000 potholes since taking office on January 1, 2026 — a record-setting pace that includes four weekend “blitz” events — yet more than a quarter of all 311 pothole cases citywide are still listed as open, pending, or in progress. Queens remains the hardest-hit borough, but even after the blitzes, concentrated trouble spots persist across the city.

This guide explains what’s happening, why some potholes get fixed faster than others, and the exact steps to file a 311 complaint that actually moves the repair queue.

Who This Helps

Drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians in all five boroughs — especially Queens residents near Northern Boulevard, Rockaway Boulevard, and Union Turnpike, where 311 pothole reports have been especially concentrated in 2026. Also useful for anyone whose car was damaged by a pothole and wants to know if they can file a claim.

The 2026 Pothole Surge: What the 311 Data Shows

According to reporting by Hoodline based on NYC Open Data, 311 pothole complaints are up 33% in 2026 compared to the prior year, with more than 11,300 pothole reports logged citywide as of March. Queens accounts for nearly half of all complaints — a disproportionate share driven by the borough’s aging roadway infrastructure and unusually heavy winter freeze-thaw cycles this year.

The most complained-about stretch in Queens is Northern Boulevard, which drew more than 100 complaints since January 1. Rockaway Boulevard logged 76 complaints, and Union Turnpike counted 66 reports in the same period. These aren’t isolated potholes — they’re recurring stretches where patches fail quickly, leading to repeat complaints and repeat damage.

The borough pattern matters. Other boroughs also saw spikes: Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Manhattan all logged elevated complaint volumes this spring, but Queens’ share stands out. If you live or drive near those Queens corridors, there’s a realistic chance your pothole complaint is in a backlog of dozens from the same block.

What Mayor Mamdani’s Pothole Blitz Has Accomplished

The Mamdani administration launched four consecutive weekend pothole blitzes starting March 14, 2026, sending more than 80 NYC DOT crews across all five boroughs. The results: Blitz 1 filled 7,200 potholes, Blitz 2 filled 8,000, Blitz 3 filled 7,600, and subsequent efforts continued the pace. On April 10 — his 100th day in office — Mayor Mamdani announced the city had filled its 100,000th pothole of the year, according to a press release from the NYC Mayor’s Office.

NYC DOT’s regular repair response time averages just over two days from report to fill for standard potholes, according to the department. The agency also plans to resurface 1,150 lane miles of roadway in 2026 — a baseline pace that predates the blitzes.

Despite the impressive numbers, the volume of complaints is outpacing repairs in some areas. The spring thaw continues to open new potholes as road surfaces soften, meaning the queue never fully drains. That’s why knowing how to file a complaint correctly — so your pothole gets prioritized — matters more than ever.

How to Report a Pothole on NYC Streets (Step by Step)

NYC DOT repairs potholes on city-maintained streets. Here’s how to make your complaint count:

• Call 311 or visit portal.311.nyc.gov and select “Pothole or Cave-In on Street”
• Use the 311 mobile app — you can submit a photo and pinpoint the GPS location, which speeds up dispatch
• Provide the exact address, cross street, and which lane or curb the pothole is in (center lane? near curb? near a drain?)
• Describe the size: NYC DOT considers a pothole “actionable” if it is at least one foot in diameter and three inches deep. If yours is smaller, describe it accurately — DOT may still respond
• Note if it’s near a drain: potholes over catch basins fall under a separate repair category and may require additional flagging
• Keep your service request number: you can track status at nyc.gov/311 using your request number

Highway Potholes Are Different — Here’s Who to Call

Not every road in NYC is a city street. If the pothole is on a highway, bridge, or state-maintained road, 311 will not route the repair correctly. Here’s who owns what:

• NYC-maintained streets: Report via 311
• State highways (e.g., Belt Parkway, Interborough Parkway, NY Route 25): Contact the NYS Department of Transportation at 1-800-833-3000 or via their website
• Major highways (BQE, FDR, Gowanus Expressway): These are typically state-maintained; contact NYSDOT or call 511 NY
• MTA bridges and tunnels: Contact the MTA Bridges and Tunnels division directly
• Port Authority crossings (GWB, Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel): Contact the Port Authority of NY and NJ at 1-800-221-9903

Did a Pothole Damage Your Car? You May Be Able to File a Claim

If a city-street pothole damaged your tire, rim, suspension, or other vehicle components, New York City can be held liable — but you have to act quickly and correctly.

• File a Notice of Claim with the NYC Comptroller’s Office within 90 days of the incident — this deadline is strict and missing it typically bars your claim
• Visit nyc.gov/comptroller to file online, or call 212-669-4747
• Document everything: photograph the pothole, photograph the damage, get a repair estimate from a licensed mechanic, and save the receipt
• The city will investigate whether there was prior notice of the pothole (usually via a previous 311 report). Prior notice strengthens your claim
• Check 311’s open data: if someone already reported the pothole before your incident, that helps establish the city knew about it

This is general information, not legal advice. For complex claims or disputes, contact a licensed attorney familiar with NYC municipal claims.

What Happens After You File

After you submit a 311 complaint, a NYC DOT inspector will review the pothole. If it meets the actionable threshold (1 foot wide, 3 inches deep), a repair crew is dispatched. The average response time is just over two days, according to NYC DOT. You can track your service request at portal.311.nyc.gov using the request number you receive when you file.

If your complaint is closed without repair and the pothole is still there, you can re-file. Persistent clusters of complaints on the same block are flagged internally for resurfacing projects rather than individual patches.

How to Take Action

• Report a pothole on a city street: Call 311 or go to portal.311.nyc.gov
• Track your 311 complaint: portal.311.nyc.gov — enter your service request number
• Report a highway pothole: Call 511 NY (state roads) or 1-800-833-3000 (NYSDOT)
• File a damage claim: NYC Comptroller’s Office at nyc.gov/comptroller or 212-669-4747 — within 90 days of the incident
• NYC Open Data — 311 Pothole Complaints: data.cityofnewyork.us — check whether your street has prior complaints on record