ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Crews are repairing potholes along state Route 18 near Tiger Mountain and Interstate 90 in Issaquah on Thursday night, according to the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
The emergency repairs will fix damaged pavement in several locations. Traffic will shift to a single lane between Deep Creek and the I-90 interchange with flaggers.
Lanes are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10.
While drivers can expect a smoother ride in this area, road conditions throughout Washington face harsh criticism, according to a new national report.
According to USA Today, Washington is considered the worst state in the U.S. for potholes. On top of that, Spokane is ranked sixth in the country for cities with the worst pothole problems.
Seattle ranks ninth in the U.S. as the city with the worst potholes, following Yakima in seventh place and Spokane in sixth, the report states.
"Drivers across the nation fall victim to these asphalt atrocities, but some states present a bigger pothole problem than others. Our research suggests that Washingtonians may feel the brunt of potholes the most, while drivers in Wyoming and Nevada are less likely to experience the aftermath of those loathsome roadway craters," the article stated.
According to WSDOT, potholes can form during cold weather when groundwater freezes and expands. When the ground thaws, the pavement shifted during the freeze remains raised, causing a gap between the pavement and the ground. Vehicles traveling over the gaps cause the road surface to crack and fall into the empty space below, WSDOT states.
In 2022, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) filled 23,000 potholes throughout the city, the most filled in the last five years.