2/8/2008
Media Contact:
Marcus J. Barlow
Email: mbarlow@indygov.org
Direct: 317-327-3713
Cell: 317-496-5515 |
 |
DPW Crews Use Saturday Work Blitz to Address City Potholes
INDIANAPOLIS (February 8, 2008)- Tomorrow, the Department of Public Works (DPW) plans to have 20 crews working from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. filling potholes around the city. This Saturday work blitz is part of an ongoing plan to take advantage of favorable weather conditions and get ahead of the pothole issue that arises each year following freezing temperatures.
“Potholes are part of a larger public safety issue, and public safety is Job One,” Mayor Greg Ballard said. “Our DPW crews are working diligently to respond to pothole issues when they arise, and we are taking key steps to implement a forward thinking strategy to better-address this issue.”
In January 2008, DPW crews used more than 580 tons of asphalt to “cold patch” potholes, which were reported in record numbers compared to previous years. This marks a significant increase in materials over the 280 tons used during the combined months of November and December 2007. Cold patching is a temporary solution, and one that can only take place when the temperature is above 45 degrees with little-to-no precipitation. When weather conditions improve in spring and summer, the cold patches must be reworked.
Rapid response crews continue to respond to severe potholes within 24 hours of notification. In January 2008 alone, the Mayor’s Action Center received 1,996 pothole complaints – more than double the number received in January 2007. These notifications generated 2,540 work orders, of which DPW has successfully closed 2,350.
DPW will spend $17 million this year on resurfacing projects aimed at a long-term reduction in the number of potholes in city streets. This is a $7 million increase over the resources devoted to resurfacing in 2007.
Indianapolis residents should continue to report pothole issues to the Mayor’s Action Center by calling (317) 327-4MAC (4622).
###
|
