The city of Cleveland is working around the clock to tackle the growing number of potholes reported throughout the city.
So far this year, the city’s 311 service has received 495 pothole complaints. Cleveland’s Director of Public Works, Frank Williams, acknowledges the challenge of keeping up with repair requests.
“It’s always a very delicate balance to try and utilize the weather and recycle material during this time of year,” Williams said. “It’s because the asphalt plants aren’t quite open yet.”
Until those plants reopen, crews are using recycled asphalt from past city projects to patch up potholes. So far, approximately 320 tons of material have been used this year.
When asked about the durability of these temporary fixes, Williams expressed cautious optimism.
“Of course, the weather is going to dictate how long the survivability of our pothole repairs are,” he said.
As temperatures fluctuate, so do the size and depth of potholes, making the repair process ongoing, including work on weekends. However, snow and ice can temporarily halt the efforts, as the city prioritizes safety-related programs first.
The order in which potholes are addressed depends on factors such as speed limits and traffic volume in affected areas.
Residents who need a pothole repaired can report it by calling 311 or submitting a request online.
