Ask the Memphian: Why are there so many potholes on area roads?
Potholes in Memphis are a problem that is unlikely to ever truly go away. A large pothole is blocked for traffic control on South Cox Street near Harbert Avenue on Friday, June 20, 2025. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
Beverly Tsacoyianis traverses Memphis streets in her Nissan Leaf most days, and she describes herself as being “in a constant state of vigilance and anxiety” every time she does so.
Why?
Potholes, the bane of everyone in Memphis with a car — or probably a bicycle. Last summer on Southern Avenue, Levine smashed into a pothole and blew out both passenger-side tires on her electric car. The repair cost was $800.
Then, in April, she was driving down Central Avenue near the Pink Palace when she hit another pothole and blew out the same two tires again. This time, the repair cost was about $600.
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“I probably did say the ‘F’ word out loud at least once,” said Tsacoyianis, a history professor at the University of Memphis. “I feel like there are so many potholes on the main roads ... that I’m in a constant state of vigilance and anxiety. I’ve got plenty of stories of swerving to avoid them. It’s so stressful to drive on Memphis roads these days. I’ve lived here 12 years and I’ve never seen it as bad as it’s been the past year or so.”
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Jody Callahan
Jody Callahan graduated with degrees in journalism and economics from what is now known as the University of Memphis. He has covered news in Memphis for more than 25 years.
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