• Recent prolonged heavy rain has caused more potholes to emerge lately
• More water has seeped into cracks on road pavements and traffic use caused the cracks to widen
• These eventually becoming potholes, an LTA spokesperson said
• All road defects reported to LTA are “typically rectified as soon as possible”
   

SINGAPORE — The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is urging road users to report potholes as they see them, after an unusually large number of these road hazards have appeared across Singapore lately, caused by recent prolonged heavy rain.

The number of potholes detected in January so far — about 1,400 — is double the monthly average number of potholes detected last year — or about 700 — its spokesperson said on Friday (Jan 15) in response to TODAY’s queries.

Some road users on social media have complained that the potholes are compromising their safety on the roads, with one saying their car had been damaged and left “undriveable”.

A photo of pothole on Tampines Avenue 4 near Century Square mall, posted by a Facebook user. Photo: Traisoon P/Facebook

In an account shared on Facebook, Ms Zuraida Abdul Rahman Gulam said on Tuesday that her husband’s car was damaged after encountering two potholes in Tampines.

When exiting the Pan-Island Expressway via Exit 4B to enter the Tampines-Simei area, the car hit a pothole so hard that a loud thudding sound was heard, she said.

Then the car hit another even bigger pothole along Tampines Avenue 5, causing the rim of one of its wheels to become dented and cracked and the tyre to become flat.

“Our car is now undriveable,” she said. “Extensive damages and serious injuries could (be incurred) due to (these) unmaintained (roads). Motorists, please keep a lookout!”

The post included a photograph of a pothole so large that it could fit the length of a full-sized umbrella.

Another online user, upset by the number of potholes, complained that some roads are “kampung (village) quality”.

However, the LTA spokesperson said that all road defects reported to the authority are “typically rectified as soon as possible”.

For every pothole reported, LTA will first temporarily patch it for safety, then assess the road condition and arrange for more permanent solutions such as localised road resurfacing after the rainy season, the spokesperson said.

The channels to report the road defects include LTA’’s website, the “Snap & Send” function on the MyTransport.SG mobile application, and the Municipal Services Office’s OneService app, she stated.

In the past week, photos of dozens of potholes have appeared online. Some people have posted compilations of the locations where potholes were spotted to warn other road users to drive carefully. Many of the locations they had listed are near or on expressways.

The LTA spokesperson said that the potholes formed because more water had seeped into cracks on road pavements, which are “normal” as a result of wear and tear.

“The continuous movement of vehicles over the road pavement causes the water to seep further into the cracks, causing the cracks to widen. In some cases, they become potholes,” she said.

She added that cracks on road surfaces that had not developed into potholes typically do not cause problems as motorists are able to continue travelling safely, but LTA had been fixing these cracks as part of its regular inspection, maintenance and road resurfacing works regime.

“We would like to seek commuters and motorists’ understanding as we work with our contractors to expedite the repair works,” she said.

“We would also like to take this opportunity to remind motorists to drive safely, particularly during the prevailing wet weather conditions.”

Road users told TODAY that they will be more careful on the roads during this time.

Cyclists, in particular, are concerned that the potholes may require them to swerve to avoid damaging their bikes or losing their balance.

One 35-year-old road cyclist, who wanted to be known only as Ms Wong, said: “My fear is not from the pothole itself, but from the traffic behind me not being able to react to me swerving… They might not know how to react in time to the cyclist.”

Car owner Traisoon P, 36, a project manager, said: “I am quite worried about the potholes because they are dangerous to motorcyclists. This is why I always give way to them whenever they need to use the mid-lane. Many potholes are on the far-left lanes.”

A logistics planner, who wishes to be known only as Mr Sng, said that based on the rainy weather and increased number of potholes, he will “definitely be more vigilant” when driving his car, by keeping within the speed limits and a safe distance with the car in front.

Going over a pothole at high speeds may damage his car, like what happened to the car of Ms Zuraida’s husband, he said.

“I will also ensure that my car tyre threads are not worn out and replace them if they are,” he added.