Akron Deploys New Trucks to Quickly Fix Potholes

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Akron, Ohio has added two new DuraPatcher trucks to its fleet to help quickly and permanently fix potholes across the city. The trucks can fill a pothole in under two minutes with a single operator, without the worker having to leave the vehicle, using a specialized process that removes debris, seals the hole, and applies a durable filling material. This new technology is a significant improvement over the traditional pothole repair method that required five workers and more time.

Why it matters

Potholes are a constant headache for cities, causing damage to vehicles and creating safety hazards for drivers. Akron's new DuraPatcher trucks allow the city to more efficiently address the seasonal surge of potholes, responding faster to resident requests and improving the overall condition of the city's roads.

The details

Akron's DuraPatcher trucks use a four-step process to permanently fill potholes. First, a high-pressure air hose removes debris and water from the hole. Next, a special liquid is sprayed to help the filling material adhere. The truck then applies a mixture of material and adhesive to fill the pothole. Finally, dry stone is applied on top to keep the repair in place. This entire process takes less than two minutes, a dramatic improvement over the previous method that required five workers.

• Akron received its first DuraPatcher truck in the fall of 2025.
• The city has now purchased two DuraPatcher trucks and deployed them to repair potholes since the winter thaw.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The city plans to continue deploying the DuraPatcher trucks throughout the peak pothole season to address the surge of resident requests for street repairs.