Potholes in Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Population 72,051 · Ontario
This page shows pothole reports submitted in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. RoadRot is a free, independent platform — anyone can report a pothole, and reports get forwarded to the responsible municipality.
Common questions
Who is responsible for fixing potholes in Sault Ste. Marie?
City streets are maintained by the City of Sault Ste. Marie's Public Works and Transportation department. Provincial highways running through the area fall under the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, with road maintenance currently contracted to Ledcor Highways under a deal awarded in June 2023.
Does Sault Ste. Marie have a 311 service for reporting potholes?
No, Sault Ste. Marie doesn't operate a 311 system. To report a pothole, call Public Works and Transportation at 705-759-5201 or email pwt@cityssm.on.ca. Include the street name, the nearest address, and which lane the pothole is in.
Can I claim compensation if a pothole damaged my vehicle in Sault Ste. Marie?
You can file a claim, but the odds aren't great. In a recent year, 199 residents filed pothole damage claims against the city and only 15 were successful, roughly 7.5%. If you do want to pursue it, you have 10 days from the date of damage to report a claim. Contact the City's Risk Manager at 705-759-5768 or submit a vehicle damage claim through the city's website.
When is pothole season in Sault Ste. Marie?
Late winter through early spring is the worst stretch, roughly February through April, when temperatures swing back and forth across the freezing point and water that's worked into the pavement keeps expanding and contracting. It doesn't help that local asphalt plants shut down in winter, so the city uses cold mix patches that don't last as long as hot mix, which typically isn't available until after May 1st.
How does RoadRot help with potholes in Sault Ste. Marie?
RoadRot is a public crowdsourced map where anyone can drop a pin on a pothole, rate its severity, and add a photo. Other drivers can confirm the same report, which raises its visibility. There's also a built-in tool that helps you write and send an email to your municipal or provincial representative about a specific pothole. RoadRot doesn't forward reports to the city automatically, but a public map with confirmed reports and direct emails to elected officials tends to get attention.