Furlough Day Stalls Pothole Repairs Across City
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The barrage of winter storms have helped create major pothole problems throughout the city with more popping up in several places overnight but the situation is only getting worse as fewer workers are around to deal with the issue.
Podcast
WCBS 880's Paul Murnane reports from the Dyckman Street exit off the Henry Hudson Parkway in Manhattan
Podcast
1010 WINS' John Montone talks with a limo driver in Queens who said he hasn't seen any potholes being filled in
On Northern Boulevard near Citi Field in Flushing 1010 WINS' John Montone reports that the road is tire-tearing bad. One cab driver, who already lost a tire to the streets, said that he's seen potholes five feet wide and at least two feet deep.
"I drive a cab 12 hours everyday," he said. "I didn't see none of them filling up in Manhattan or in Queens or in Brooklyn."
According to the Daily News, furloughs that began last month at the Department of Transportation mean the pothole response time has increased from about two days in 2007 to six days now. Workers who normally would be out filling the craters Monday weren't because they were on the third of five mandatory furlough days which they accepted as an alternative to layoffs.
A spokesperon for the Department of Transportation confirmed the furlough day but said the department's war against potholes is being waged seven days a week. Forty crews have patched more than 45,000 potholes since Christmas.
Many who drive for a living can't believe that city has cut back in pothole repair crews. "That's a terrible idea, we need it now more than ever," one bus driver said.
The pothole situation is only expected to get worse thanks to milder temperatures which will be followed by freezing ones beginning later Tuesday.
Have a pothole problem? Let us know below!
