Highway 71 potholes disable multiple vehicles in Pomona
All northbound lanes of State Route 71 were closed between Holt Avenue and the 10 Freeway due to potholes Wednesday morning in Pomona, and multiple vehicles were damaged.
A Sigalert was first issued at 4:51 a.m., with Valley Blvd. to the west and Holt Ave. to the east.
Crews were working to repair potholes in the roadway.
California Highway Patrol reported that at least 50 vehicles were damaged, including flat tires and damaged rims.
"I tried to get out of the way, but then I saw a bunch of other potholes, so then I hit the first pothole," said Claudia Bautista.
Caltrans workers could be seen working to fill the potholes, dumping asphalt into impacted parts of the freeway. They say a more permanent fix can't be completed until the wet weather goes away.
With yet another storm possibly hitting Southern California at the beginning of next week, they're warning that more mudslides, rockslides and potholes could occur.
Around 2 p.m. Wednesday, CHP reported all lanes in State Route 71 are reopened.
SIGALERT CANCELLATION: : NB SR-71 AT HOLT AVENUE. ALL LANES ARE OPEN.
— CHP_LA_TRAFFIC (@CHP_LA_TRAFFIC) March 15, 2023
Southland roadways have been battered by the constant precipitation, with Caltrans reporting from Friday to Tuesday alone they've filled nearly 600 different potholes in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties alone.
They say that the potholes are a direct result of the storms, occurring when water gets into the pavement. The constant pounding of traffic then weakens the foundation, leading to ripped up roads.
"The drainage system on our highway is important," said Mike Comeaux with Caltrans. "It's supposed to drain off. When it doesn't drain properly or fast enough — potholes."
Comeaux says that both SR-60 and SR-39 have also been heavily impacted by the most recent storm, with Caltrans crews working to clear rocks and mud from the roadways in Azusa.
Drivers who had their vehicles damaged by the roads are eligible to file a claim online by visiting the California Department of Transportation website.
Check local roadway conditions with KCAL News NEXT Traffic here.