Road Crews Struggle To Keep Up With Potholes
BOSTON (CBS) - It is the unmistakable sound of the road, wheels hitting potholes. It's a problem communities are dealing with, as their road crews are still dealing with snow removal.
"I am kind of driving all over the place to avoid potholes," said driver Gina Kleniewski.
It's led to broken wheel guards, broken hubcaps, bent and broken rims, blown tires, and leading drivers right to the auto body shop.
"We're seeing everyday three or four cars coming in," said Bill Croente or Creonte Autobody in Waltham, who says it's been difficult to keep up with the demand.
WBZ-TV's Beth Germano reports.
In Somerville, DPW commissioner Stan Koty says his crews just started getting to potholes this week, knowing it's a public safety issue.
"We've been knocking down snow mounds to get drivers around, we're dealing with the whole program all at the same time," he said.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey reports.
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Six tons of asphalt was put down today to cover the potholes, and he says they'll do six tons everyday this week until they catch up. And the fix is only temporary with snow still on the ground.
"It's getting cold tonight, next week it'll be fifty again, and more potholes will open."
And if there's more snow, plows will dig them up once again. Koty calls this winter a "budget buster."
Drivers say in narrow lanes of traffic rimmed by snow, it's hard to avoid the potholes that sit like craters in the middle or the side of the road.
"You only have two lanes, everyone is in traffic," said driver Hector Montesino.
This winter, state road maintenance has already eaten up the initial $58 million budget, and has nearly exhausted the supplemental budget.
Where are the worst potholes you've seen?
