El Niño Rains Create Damaging Potholes Along Bayshore Freeway
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- It's been a bumpy ride over the Bayshore freeway these past few days, especially on the stretch from San Francisco International Airport into the city, and El Niño storms are to blame.
On U.S. 101 between San Francisco and Brisbane, potholes seem to have multiplied after the recent string of storms, cratering out one of the busiest Bay Area commuter pipelines.
It's not only making the ride rough, but expensive as well. Driver Carlos Elaes was lamenting the $200 bill he's on the hook for after a pothole dented his rim.
While waiting for his car at the shop, he took out his anger on Caltrans. "They take a lot of money and do nothing."
Marco Gonzalez, a driver for Transmetro shuttle service, said his tire flattened out a few weeks ago after hitting a pothole on 101.
He said existing potholes needed to have been dealt with before the storms. "They should have taken care of them a long time ago instead of wait for the rain to come and make them worse," said Gonzalez.
California Highway Patrol Officer Vu Williams said calls about vehicle-damaging potholes are becoming more frequent. "Several collisions with the roadway where there's damage to suspensions and wheels," he said.
Williams reminded drivers to give themselves a chance to see potholes before it's too late. "When we're traveling down the road we try not to follow too closely behind the car in front of us," said Williams. "What that does it gives you an opportunity to see well ahead of you."
AAA said it has seen a 15 to 20 percent increase in service calls, which it says is normal during periods of stormy weather.
