Patching potholes is keeping several city crews busy now that nice weather is unmasking these pesky problems. Crews have to clean them out before they fill them with a coal mixture typically used in the winter months.

"The asphalt plants have not fired up yet in order to produce hot asphalt for us," Mark Stockman said.

Compared to last year, there are relatively the same amount of potholes. So far the city has used around 220 tons of the mixture to fill them. This year, potholes will be easier to tackle because the weather is less extreme right now, helping material stick better.

"Once we put this stuff down and mother nature got out of the way finally, it's not freezing and warming up poppin the material back out of the hole," Kevin Jones said.

The Whitman Interchange is where some of the biggest pothole clusters are located. What's most noticeable to drivers are these potholes that have now turned into long cracks. Other problem areas are the North Main, Harrison, and Kishwaukee Streets.

"Potholes will continue to grow the longer you let them go. So the chance for damage to your vehicle will always be there," Stockman said.

Throughout the next few weeks, you'll see crews multiply as the department expands this pothole patching process.

The public works department expects to spend around $700,000 this season to patch potholes.