Mayor Bill de Blasio, DOT Commissioner Wage War Against Potholes
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The war against potholes is underway in New York City.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg announced a comprehensive plan Thursday to repair potholes caused by freeze-and-thaw cycles from this winter's storms.
The city's Department of Transportation has filled in a record-breaking 113,131 potholes so far in 2014. That's more than the number filled during the same period in 2012 and 2013 combined.
"It's more than double the number of potholes that were filled by this date in either of the past two winters," said the mayor. "And they are just getting started with this extraordinary work."
De Blasio personally filled in a pothole at 69th Lane and 60th Avenue in Maspeth, Queens Thursday. The potholes have become a scourge on the city's roads amid one of the worst winters in recent years.
"All the storms, tire chains and snowplows have added up to unprecedented wear-and-tear on our streets. Anyone out on our roads can see it firsthand," said de Blasio
De Blasio says the city has added $7.3 million to the department's budget to help fund the repairs.
The mayor also said more than 50 crews have been deployed on weekly "pothole blitzes'' to combat the growing problem.
"This pothole and roadway maintenance plan will give them the tools and resources they need to get the job done," said Trottenberg.
It takes an average of two days for a pothole to be filled after it is reported, de Blasio said.
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