Pothole problem grows in Edmonton after harsh winter

Potholes have popped up across Edmonton once again—thanks to another harsh Canadian winter.

Heavier snowfalls this past season have led to a surge in road damage, with city crews now filling nearly triple the number of potholes compared to the same time last year.

So far in 2025, more than 85,000 potholes have been repaired—up significantly from the 25,000 filled by this point in 2024.

The spike has also driven business to local tire shops like Bestway Tire, where staff say they’re seeing multiple vehicles roll in every day—some with more than just a flat tire.

“We see the front end kind of fall apart—we’ve seen axles come out, ball joints torn apart. I’d estimate the damage can cost anywhere from $500 to $3,000,” said Tony Nayyer, Sales Manager at Bestway Tire.

This year, the city has allocated nearly $11 million in its budget for pothole repairs. Officials say road crews are out patching holes every day that weather conditions allow.

Still, some drivers feel it’s not enough.

“If we’re spending taxpayer dollars to have them repaired, I would hope the repairs actually last longer than until the next spring,” said one Edmonton resident.

“If they were constantly doing it—knowing that this is a busy road—and fixed it, that would be great,” added another.

Drivers whose vehicles are damaged by potholes may be eligible for compensation from the city, but there’s a catch: they must submit written notice of the incident within 30 days.

Even then, the odds of a payout are low. According to the most recent data from 2018, fewer than 10 percent of all claims met the legal threshold for compensation.