New Jersey Law Now Requires DOT to Report Pothole Repair Data

A new law signed Monday will require the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) to include detailed pothole repair data in its annual report on roadway conditions — a move that lawmakers say will increase transparency and improve road safety across the state.

The legislation, known as Bill A2596, was sponsored by Assemblymen Robert Karabinchak (D-Middlesex) and Clinton Calabrese (D-Bergen, Passaic). It mandates the DOT to publicly share data on the number of pothole repair projects, associated costs, response times, and timelines for repairs in its annual Roadway Pavement System Report to the Governor and Legislature. The report must also be made available to the public on the DOT’s website.

“New Jersey drivers know the frustration of hitting a pothole all too well, but until now, there’s been little visibility into how and when those issues are addressed,” said Assemblyman Karabinchak. “By tracking pothole repairs more transparently, we’re giving the public the tools to see how their government is working for them, and helping the DOT make data-driven decisions to strengthen our transportation system.”

In addition to repair metrics, the DOT will be required to conduct a life cycle cost analysis of pavement surfaces, and include data on the number and cost of pothole-related damage claims filed with the Division of Risk Management within the Department of the Treasury.

“Drivers may not read every line of a DOT report, but they do notice every pothole, and they deserve to know what’s being done to fix them,” said Assemblyman Calabrese, who chairs the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee. “This legislation ensures that information is clear, accessible, and directly in the public’s hands. By bridging the gap between state-level planning and everyday experience, we can make smarter investments, improve road safety, and ensure our maintenance efforts meet the real needs of New Jersey residents.”

The bill is part of a broader push by lawmakers to modernize New Jersey’s infrastructure and improve transparency in how road maintenance decisions are made.