“POTHOLE BLITZ:” DPW FILLS 1,147 POTHOLES IN 12 WEEKS

"Especially after an extremely cold

and snowy winter, heavily trafficked city streets see a tremendous amount of

wear and tear both from standard vehicle travel and from heavy public works

trucks and plows that work around the clock to keep our streets safe and clear

from snow and ice," said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. "Our crews are making great

progress addressing streets in need of repair as winter finally winds down, and

the public can help. We're surveying the streets for any potholes to repair but

residents can make sure we don't miss any by reporting them to 311."

"Our goal is always to respond to

requests for pothole patching as soon as possible and within the allotted two [business]

day timeframe noted in the 311 Work Order system," said DPW Commissioner Stan

Koty. "This year we are being even more proactive in preparing for the warmer

months with the addition of a second truck equipped for patching, which has

allowed us to cover more ground. To date, 70 percent of the potholes filled

have been proactively identified and entered as work orders by DPW crews."

The blitz has been timed to coincide with the warming weather because potholes

form more frequently in winter. Potholes are created when water seeps into

existing cracks and into underlying soil, weakening the pavement. Cold

temperatures cause the water to freeze and expand and, with added weight of

traffic on the weakened pavement, asphalt breaks, eventually leaving the hole

that can become larger if not treated appropriately.

In March 2014, the City purchased a second truck equipped for pothole

patching that can hold up to four tons of hot top per load in preparation for

spring. A second City-owned truck has the capacity for up to three tons.

 "The health, safety, and quality

of life of our residents is our top priority, and that starts by ensuring our

streets and sidewalks are safe for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians," said

Mayor Curtatone. "All of our City employees are expected to deliver accurate,

courteous and easy customer service and I am proud to say that the Highway crew

is exemplifying that mission by taking a more proactive approach to addressing

our roadway safety infrastructure. The Pothole Blitz is far from over, and to

help keep our streets in top condition we encourage constituents to continue to

report potholes as you see them by calling 311, 24 hours a day, seven days a

week."

Five

Ways to Report a Pothole in Somerville

• Call 311
  
  (or 617-666-3311)

• Email
  
  311Updates@somervillema.gov

• Post
  
  to 311's Facebook page www.facebook.com/311Somerville

• Tweet
  
  to @311Somerville

• Try the
  
  App Download 311's nifty mobile app via the links at http://www.somervillema.gov/departments/constituent-services
  
  and use the app for all your 311 requests.