|
Mayor Nickels and the Pothole Rangers:
Declaring “open season” on potholes
"We’ve declared open season
on potholes. When I see a
pothole, I call it in. Please join
me in this effort. Help us find
potholes big and small, and
call us at 684-ROAD" |
|
-- Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels |
Links:
Potholes filled:
449,341
Percent filled within 48 hours:
98.5% |
|
No one likes coming across a pothole in the road.
In 2002, Mayor Greg Nickels challenged the Seattle Department of Transportation to fill and repair potholes within 48 hours. Since then, the “Pothole Rangers” have repaired more than 400,000 potholes, responding to most requests within two days.
When someone reports a pothole to the city’s hotline, the Pothole Rangers are quickly sent out to investigate. Potholes that can be fixed on-the-spot are repaired immediately. Street conditions that require a more comprehensive solution are made safe, and then referred for permanent repair. In addition to reported potholes, the efficient Pothole Rangers often fill other cracks, crevices and hazards they spot nearby.
"Potholes are the roadway hazards that everyone loves to hate," Nickels said.
 About 95 percent of requests called in are filled within 48 hours or two business days. In March 2008, Mayor Nickels again declared “open season” on all potholes, issuing SDOT a “license to fill” and challenging the Pothole Rangers to repair as many potholes possible within a week. The Mayor also asked drivers to get involved, reporting any pothole they encountered. Every year, about 7,600 potholes are reported by the public.
"The Pothole Rangers have been a tremendous success," said Nickels. "This is one good example of how local government can make a difference in people's lives.”
Origins of the pothole
 Potholes are created primarily by our Northwest weather patterns and heavy vehicles.
Weather conditions:
- Water from melting snow and ice seeps into the pavement and softens it. During repeated cold spells, the water in the pavement refreezes and expands, breaking up the pavement, on and below the surface.
- When the ice melts, it leaves gaps inside the pavement, and the moisture further softens it. The soft, fractured asphalt cannot support the weight of passing vehicles, and begins to break up.
- As vehicles continue to pass over the weakened spot, pieces of roadway are kicked out, creating the hole in the highway.
Heavy trucks and buses:
- Potholes are also created when the roadway is stressed by trucks and buses, which can cause a movement of the subsurface.
- Once there is a weak spot, every car that travels over it makes the problem worse, and eventually a section of the material will fail, causing a pothole.
Call the Pothole Rangers
 Please give us a detailed location so we can find the pothole and repair it quickly.
To report a pothole, call (206) 684-ROAD (7623).
Or report a pothole online.
|
 |
