DPW begins assault on pothole problem 2.14.11

WTHR

Indianapolis - Up and down temperatures cause havoc on roads, forcing the Department of Public Works to work overtime to fix potholes.

They come in different sizes and around this time of year, you can find them in just about every corner. Motorists have been hoping they'll be fixed soon.

They don't have to wait much longer.

On Saturday, the Department of Public Works got out their tools to refill the holes in the road. It's the first time they've been able to attack the problem full-force and the higher temperatures are helping.

"Today's a very special pothole blitz. We have 25 crews out all day long, they started early at 7 a.m.," said DPW spokesperson Molly Deuberry.

They've been walking and driving around the city, while throwing and flattening a steamy mix into every pothole they see.

"Cold mix is a temporary mix. It should last for awhile and then, when the weather warms up, we can get above 45 degrees and stay above 45 degrees, the asphalt plans will open up again," Deuberry said.

When the potholes get filled, they could last up to eight months, but it all depends on weather and how heavily traveled the road is. Because Old Man Winter isn't going away anytime soon, neither is the pothole problem.

"That's why we count on residents and commuters to report the potholes that they see, because we know they'll pop back up again," Deuberry said.

You can report potholes in your neighborhood on the city's website.

http://www.wthr.com/story/14018969/dpw-begins-assault-on-citys-pothole-problem