How to Report a Pothole or Street Problem in Gallatin

For a pothole or street problem on a Gallatin city street, submit the City of Gallatin Fix It Form or call Public Works at 615-451-5909. The form accepts reports about potholes, damaged curbs, road debris, traffic signs, traffic signals, drainage and related problems. For a numbered highway, interstate or state route, use TDOT’s Maintenance Request Form or call 833-TDOTFIX. County-road responsibilities belong to the Sumner County Highway Department; call 615-452-2632 to confirm the appropriate county contact.

If you need to report a pothole in Gallatin, start by identifying who maintains the road. City streets are generally handled through the City of Gallatin’s Fix It Form or Public Works department. County-maintained roads fall under the Sumner County Highway Department. Numbered highways, interstates and state routes are maintained by the Tennessee Department of Transportation, or TDOT.

Choose the agency responsible for the road

The fastest way to get a street problem to the right place is to match the report to the road’s jurisdiction.

Where the problem is located — Who to contact — Best starting point

City of Gallatin street — Gallatin Public Works — City Fix It Form or 615-451-5909

Sumner County-maintained road — Sumner County Highway Department — Call 615-452-2632 to confirm the county reporting process

Interstate, U.S. route or numbered state route — TDOT — TDOT Maintenance Request Form or 833-TDOTFIX

Gallatin’s street-maintenance page says TDOT maintains numbered highways, including interstates, U.S. routes and state routes. That includes corridors such as State Route 109, State Route 174, State Route 386, U.S. 31E and State Route 25.

Gallatin city streets

Use the city process when the pothole or street problem is on a local city street rather than a state highway. Gallatin Public Works lists pothole repairs, street maintenance and street-sign maintenance among its responsibilities.

Sumner County roads

The Sumner County Highway Department lists county road repair and maintenance and county bridge repair and maintenance among its services.

The county’s public page does not clearly identify a dedicated online pothole form. For a road outside Gallatin city limits that appears to be county-maintained, call the Sumner County Highway Department at 615-452-2632 and ask how to open a maintenance request. The county notes that right-of-way details vary by road, so identifying the exact location is important.

Numbered highways and state routes

TDOT is responsible for state-owned roads, including interstates and state routes. Its maintenance page specifically says the online form should not be used for a highway emergency and directs motorists to provide the route, mile marker and nearby cross streets or interchanges when reporting a problem.

How to report a pothole to the City of Gallatin

1. Open the City Fix It Form

The City of Gallatin Fix It Form accepts reports for potholes and a range of related street problems, including damaged curbs, damaged sidewalks, road debris, road striping, traffic or road signs, traffic signals, blocked drainage channels, flooding issues and water leaking on a roadway.

The form asks for contact information, a description of the problem and the location of the problem. It also allows you to upload a picture, which the city says can help staff address the issue more quickly.

2. Describe the exact location

Include the street name, nearest address or intersection, travel direction and lane when you can do so safely. For a pothole near a turn, bridge, school entrance or busy intersection, mention that landmark in the description.

A useful report might include:

• Street name and nearest cross street
• Direction of travel
• Approximate lane position
• Nearby address, business or landmark
• Whether the pothole is affecting traffic, bicycles or pedestrians
• Whether water, debris, exposed utility covers or damaged pavement are also present

3. Add a photo when safe

The Fix It Form includes a photo-upload option. Do not stop in a travel lane or use a phone while driving to take a picture. If you are already stopped in a legal, safe location, a photo can help show the pothole’s size, position and relationship to nearby signs or intersections. The city also reminds residents to call immediately when a problem requires urgent attention.

4. Call Gallatin Public Works for urgent attention

Gallatin’s Fix It Form directs residents to call 615-451-5909 when a problem requires urgent attention. The city identifies that number as the Public Works contact, and its Public Works page lists street maintenance and street-sign work among department services.

If there is an immediate threat to life or a crash in progress, call 911 rather than trying to complete a routine maintenance form. The city’s form separately directs residents to 911 for a police emergency.

How to report a state-highway pothole to TDOT

For a pothole on an interstate, U.S. route or numbered state route, submit a request through TDOT’s Maintenance Request Form. TDOT says the form is for maintenance work requests and that the department is responsible only for state-owned roads, including interstates and state routes.

You can also call the TDOT Road Repair Hotline at 833-TDOTFIX, or 833-836-8349. TDOT’s January 30, 2026 pothole-repair announcement listed the hotline’s hours as Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and said motorists could report potholes by phone or online.

When reporting a TDOT problem, include:

1. The route number
2. The nearest mile marker, if available
3. Nearby cross streets or interchanges
4. The direction of travel
5. A description of the pothole or other hazard
6. Whether the condition is blocking a lane or creating an immediate danger

TDOT’s maintenance page says that after-hours, non-life-threatening issues should be reported through the TDOTFIX hotline, while life-threatening situations should go to 911. It also cautions drivers not to text and drive.

What information should you include?

A maintenance crew needs enough detail to locate the problem without guessing. Before submitting a report, make a quick note of:

• Exact road name
• Nearest intersection or address
• Direction of travel
• Lane or shoulder location
• Approximate size or depth, if you can describe it safely
• Other related damage, such as a damaged sign, loose manhole cover, flooding or debris
• Photo, if available and taken from a safe location

Avoid estimating a mile marker if you are unsure. Use the nearest cross street, business, entrance or landmark instead.

What to do if the condition is dangerous

Slow down, leave extra space and avoid sudden swerves. If the hazard is in an active travel lane, creates an immediate crash risk or is connected to a serious roadway incident, prioritize your safety and call 911 when appropriate. For a non-emergency TDOT road problem, use the TDOTFIX hotline or maintenance form rather than attempting to report it while driving.

For current highway incidents, construction activity and weather-related road conditions, Tennessee 511 provides information through TNSmartWay Traffic and by dialing 511.

If your vehicle was damaged by a state-road condition

Reporting a pothole is separate from seeking reimbursement for vehicle damage. Tennessee’s Department of Treasury says a person whose automobile is damaged by a condition on a state road or highway may be able to file a claim against the state, but the claimant must provide evidence supporting the claim. The state lists the exact incident location, proof of vehicle ownership and repair documentation among the supporting materials.

The Treasury page also says a claimant must show either that the condition resulted from state negligence or that state officials had notice of the dangerous condition with enough time to respond. This is general information, not legal advice.

Quick reporting checklist

Before submitting a Gallatin pothole or street-problem report, confirm that you have:

• [ ] The road name and exact location
• [ ] The correct agency: city, county or TDOT
• [ ] Direction of travel and lane information, when relevant
• [ ] A short description of the hazard
• [ ] Nearby cross streets, landmarks or mile marker
• [ ] A photo taken only from a safe location, if available
• [ ] A phone number or email if the form requests contact information

For city streets, begin with the [City of Gallatin Fix It Form](https://www.gallatintn.gov/FormCenter/Engineering-4/Fix-It-Form-52) or call Public Works at 615-451-5909. For numbered highways and state routes, use the [TDOT Maintenance Request Form](https://www.tn.gov/tdot/maintenance/maintenance-request.html) or call 833-TDOTFIX. For county roads, contact the Sumner County Highway Department at 615-452-2632 to confirm the correct reporting channel.

Last verified: August 16, 2026. Recheck agency contacts, forms and phone instructions before submitting a new report.