In this 2010 file photo, Willie Harris, with the Public Works Department, fills a pothole with “cold patch” on Iowa Street

Now that snow is melting, another menace for drivers — a rash of potholes — is taking aim at automobile alignments.

Here’s some information to help cushion the blows:

Call it in

To report a pothole for repair:

• In Lawrence, call the city’s Pothole Reporting Line, 832-3456, or fill out a form online, through the Public Works page.

“We try to get to them within 24 hours.”

— Bill Nye, field supervisor.

• In Eudora, call (785) 542-3100. In Baldwin City, call (785) 594-6907.

• On state highways, the Kansas Department of Transportation takes reports by county: Douglas, (785) 528-3128; Johnson, (913) 764-0987; Shawnee and Jefferson, (785) 296-2291; and Leavenworth and Wyandotte, (913) 721-2960.

Rural approach

• Douglas County Public Works handles county roads, marked by blue-and-yellow signs, and some paved roads in rural subdivisions. Call 832-5293. Townships are responsible for most gravel roads; contact your trustee.

Hot and cold

Crews know their work won’t last long. Their “cold patch” pavement mix — Lawrence is using about 5 tons per day — fills holes only temporarily. More substantial repairs, often using hot mix, won’t start until spring.

Problem areas

Nye says the most pockmarked patches of road in town include Kasold Drive, south of Clinton Parkway (a stretch set to be rebuilt beginning this year); 23rd Street, east of Haskell Avenue (expected to be repaved later this year); and on both sides of the Union Pacific underpass in North Lawrence, where traffic is squeezed into one lane headed south.

“We use a lot of flashing lights and have guys working heads up, watching each others’ back. They try to get in and get out before people run over them.”

— Bill Nye, whose crews stop by the underpass — and stop traffic briefly — at least once each day.