Pothole Filling 'Round the Clock

Gothamist loves investigative and interactive journalism - especially when it involves potholes. After the city announced its pothole blitz for this year, the Daily News decided to call 311 about a two foot long pothole at West 16th and 8th Avenue last Friday. And then on Sunday, there was still no word. Today, the News pronounces the pothole fixed, "four days, 1 hour and 35 minutes" later. That just leaves about 1200 more to go! The Department of Transportation says that 98% of potholes are filled within 30 days, and when Gothamist listened to the Mayor's radio show, he credited the weather with being pretty good for potholes this year (less snow means less moisture to bulid up; he did, however, say that New Yorkers should complain to DoT Commissioner Weinshall and not him).

WABC 7 looked at the filling of some potholes - and talked to some drivers who say they are changing their tires 2 or 3 times a year. Ouch.

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By Jen Chung in News on February 22, 2006 12:54 PM

Comments [rss]

Gunnar Heinrich

I wonder how many times the City gets sued during the course of a given year. It has to be in the thousands. The tax payer probably pays millions in attorneys fees from frivolous lawsuits and rightful lawsuits.

Still, the column shows how quickly the City's street dept. responded to the complaint.

Samantha T

People sue the city all the time for this kind of thing - I imagine it's worth it if you get hurt. I've seen potholes remain for months, so the city knowing about it is pretty likely. There was one on 6th Avenue and 5th in Park Slope that was HUGE - big enough for the orange cone to have fallen into it that used to put me in a rage every time I walked by. Anybody who walked into it at night would have been lucky not to break an ankle.

liz-cj7

Can anyone tell me if the city is liable for driving/riding accidents caused by large potholes? I ride my scooter around town and have been lucky so far to have barely avoided riding right into humungous potholes. I feel however that it's just a matter of time when I ride right over the big one that will cause me to spill all over 8th Avenue! Any thoughts? Is the city responsible? Thanks, Vespagirl