‘Big Bertha’: Giant pothole on privately owned Lincoln street has drivers frustrated

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A rough road in north Lincoln is becoming a neighborhood sensation, with people dubbing it both a nuisance and a local legend.

Neighbors unaffectionately refer to a series of potholes that have essentially become one giant one as “Big Bertha.”

It’s along North 26th street, behind the Panda Express near 27th Street and Old Dairy Road.

The potholes are leaving drivers with sometimes costly repairs and a bumpy ride.

George Winters and his friend were visiting from Germany and staying at the Baymont Inn off 27th street for the past two weeks.

“The other street is OK, but this street is just horrible.” he said. “In Germany, you drive around the hole and not directly inside to save your car.”

Both men said they’re shocked about how big the potholes are in America.

One pothole is about 6 inches deep, and it’s just feet apart from another one that’s 4 inches deep.

One woman said the potholes on North 26th caused some damage to her car.

So how has the pothole gotten so big?

Part of 26th Street is privately owned, so the Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Department is not responsible for fixing it.

Channel 8 reached out to the owner, the Fieldstone Owners Association, but the woman who answered declined to comment.

Drivers they wish something would be done because they’re tired of swerving to avoid a hefty repair bill.