A pothole on 13th Street East was filled a day after this photo was taken. Residents are encouraged to report potholes through the city’s Report a Concern Portal or by contacting the Solutions Hub at 306-953-4884. (Image Credit: Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By paNOW Staff

repairs are coming

City warns potholes may reappear until better weather allows for more permanent fix

Mar 24, 2026 | 3:39 PM

A quick drive through the city of Prince Albert makes it abundantly clear that it’s pothole season and while city crews are actively repairing them, it’s only a temporary solution.

“Due to ongoing freeze-and-thaw conditions, these repairs are not permanent. Potholes may reappear until more stable, warm weather allows for long-lasting fixes,” the city wrote on its website.

Potholes form when melting snow and ice seep into cracks in the pavement. As temperatures fluctuate, water freezes and expands, weakening the road surface and creating holes as vehicles pass over them.

Michaela Solomon, media relations and communications consultant at SGI, said in order to avoid potholes it’s a good idea to increase the distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you.

“It makes it easier to avoid potholes if you can see the street ahead of you a little bit better,” she said. “It’s harder to see what’s coming if you’re reacting to it and you’re right on someone’s bumper.”

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She also suggested frequently inspecting your tires to ensure they are properly inflated since there is a greater risk of wheel or suspension damage if a low tire hits a pothole.

Driving cautiously through puddles is also important.

“You never know what lies under a puddle, so travelling through them slowly with caution is recommended.”

(Image Credit: SGI/Facebook)

Other tips include those from CAA, which suggest that if you can’t avoid a pothole, reduce your speed beforehand, then release the brakes just before impact. Releasing the brakes allows the wheel and tire to roll through the depression instead of slamming into it, letting the suspension absorb the shock and preventing severe damage to the car.

Who is liable?

If your vehicle is damaged by a pothole, Solomon said it is typically covered by insurance, but there is always a possibility that the driver might be held responsible depending on the conditions.

And if you’re wondering whether the city is liable for pothole damage – that’s determined on a case-by-case basis through the city’s insurance provider.

It may be difficult to argue negligence. Protections under the Cities Act (section 306) suggest the city doesn’t have an obligation to have perfect roads, just a reasonable state of repair. Drivers also have a responsibility to use due care to avoid issues on the road. The City of Prince Albert also said it does not have a policy on pothole repair. In other words, there is no specific timeline in which they need to be fixed.

“Once we become aware of a pothole, our crews respond to repair and maintain it. During the freeze–thaw period, permanent repairs aren’t possible, but we make every effort to keep roads patched and safe until conditions allow for long-term fixes,” wrote a spokesperson from the city in an email to paNOW.

If a pothole wasn’t reported to the city, it would be difficult to prove they knew about it and didn’t fix it.

Since the city does not directly reimburse residents for pothole-related damage, the spokesperson did not have information readily available about the number of claims or how much has been paid out by the city’s insurance for pothole damage.

Between 2021 and 2025, the average number of claims each year for ‘roadbed auto losses’ with SGI was 5,979. The majority of the claims took place between December and March. The category ‘roadbed auto losses’ is defined as a vehicle colliding with the road, primarily potholes, but can also include other road-related debris.

Residents are encouraged to report potholes through the city’s Report a Concern portal or by contacting the Solutions Hub at 306-953-4884.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com