As spring arrives in Tennessee, so does one of the most beloved seasons of the year - pothole season! The time when roads become obstacle courses and drivers become amateur rally racers. While many people dread this time of year, there is one group of people who look forward to it with great excitement - mechanics.

Pothole Formation

Potholes form when water seeps into the cracks of a road. During winter, this water freezes and expands. This expansion weakens the asphalt before forming a cavity as the water melts in the spring. When vehicles drive over the cavity, the asphalt caves and a baby pothole is born.

Image Credit: ClarksburgNow

Businesses Rejoice

"Each new pothole is like a Christmas present for us" says Oliver Closoff, the owner of a shady mobile repair business on Facebook. "Potholes mean more business on top of our usual backlog. I can't wait to see what this year brings!"

With the season in full swing after a bitter winter, Oliver isn't the only one seeing an uptick in demand. Tire shops, alignment centers, tow trucks, and even car washes are all experiencing a surge.

But how are their customers dealing with the sudden appearance of road craters? Some are taking it in stride, viewing it as a fun game of "dodge the pothole." Others are less thrilled, with one driver declaring "I hit a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom pothole yesterday that swallowed my car!"

Image Credit: ClarksburgNow - Chris

Volunteer Road Repairs

There is hope for drivers in Tennessee in the form of a group of anonymous volunteers known as the "Pot-Heads." These dedicated individuals have taken it upon themselves to rid the state of potholes once and for all.

Image Credit: ClarksburgNow

"We just want to make sure the roads are safer for everyone." says the group's leader - who wishes to remain anonymous. "We don't want to see anyone injured because of a pothole, so we're doing something about it while TDOT is fixing spelling errors."

The Pot-Head Brigade operates under the cover of darkness, armed with shovels and hot asphalt, filling potholes and smoothing out the roads. It's a dangerous job, but they're committed to making a difference.

Controversy

Not everyone is happy with the Pot-Head's efforts. Some are worried that their actions are illegal, while others are concerned that they may cause more damage. But the Pot-Heads soldier on, knowing that they're making a difference in the volunteer state. A spokesperson for the highway department denied the need for the "pot-head" organization, despite deteriorating road conditions and fewer than average spelling errors.

Meanwhile, mechanics across the state are rejoicing at the influx of business. "We're booked solid for the next few months" says Oliver. "It's a great time to be a mechanic and we appreciate the hard-working pot heads that repair our roads."

By Chris P
Wednesday, March 29 2023