Even as Indianapolis crews rush to fill in potholes, questions remain as to how quickly the work can be done, as well as the impact it will have on the city’s finances.
Last week, the city issued an emergency declaration to allow the Department of Public Works (DPW) to use an additional $14 million in the budget to speed up repairs on thousands of potholes that have frustrated residents.
“It’s about time,” motorist Michelle Richardson said after seeing numerous potholes on Emerson Avenue on the city’s Eastside. “They are everywhere. There really is no good place to get away from them.”
Mayor Joe Hogsett said he understands why residents demand improvements.
“I share their frustration,” Hogsett said. “The need is real, the dollars are available and the time to act is now.”
Although $88 million is budgeted for road projects, Hogsett immediately submitted a proposal to the City-County Council that would also use dollars in the Rainy Day Fund.
This week, all 20 of the city’s street repair crews plus four pothole patching contractors have been on a blitz to fill the worst potholes across the city. That blitz ends Friday.
Now, however, city officials say repairs will continue because of the emergency declaration. Over the next few weeks, crews will fill potholes and strip patch the worst sections of roads.
“Each day of work is weather dependent,” said Warren Stokes, public information officer for the Department of Public Works. “But as long as the weather is warm and dry we will fix segments of roads that have been affected by the fluctuation of temperatures.”
City officials cite the amount of vehicles that use a road each day and major changes in temperature — such as 30 degrees one day and 60 degrees the next — as the major causes of potholes.
DPW reported that it uses “cold mix” asphalt to fill in potholes. This is only a short-term repair during winter months and can wash away with rain. The department admits it is not a substitute for the long-term “hot mix” asphalt, which adheres better to pavement.
Stokes explained that it is very difficult for asphalt companies to create hot mix during colder months, so they are supplying crews with cold mix.
However, crews are also strip patching large swaths of roads, and the materials used in that process often lasts for years. Resurfacing of roads may also begin this month.
“With strip patching and resurfacing there is repair and replacement to what’s underneath the pavement as well,” Stokes said.
With the city having other challenges to address, there may be concerns about how much of a drain road repairs will be on the $52 million Rainy Day Fund.
The city received those dollars in a one-time distribution of county option income taxes (COIT) from the state. Originally, the state had mandated that $39 million be spent on infrastructure. That money has already been allocated, leaving $13 million in the fund.
However, Stokes said the fund is not in danger of depletion.
He noted that over two years, Hogsett and the City-County Council have put the city’s “fiscal house back in order” by cutting waste and identifying efficiencies in local government.
“This, combined with new gas tax revenue and a positive financial forecast, gave the mayor and the council the confidence to begin a responsible spend down of the Rainy Day Fund,” Stokes said.
Regardless of details of how the city is getting the job done, residents are happy to see the potholes being filled.
Driver Charles Harris saw potholes on Lafayette Road that he says are some of the worst.
“The roads have been a mess this year,” he said. “I’m just glad they’re out there doing something.”
Anyone who has a claim for property damage against the City of Indianapolis – Marion County can visit http://www.gov/eGov/City/OCC/Litigation/Pages/tort.aspx for more information on the TORT claim process. They ma also visit the Frequently Asked Questions page of the Office of Corporation Counsel at http://www.indy.gov/eGov/City/OCC/Litigation/Pages/FAQ.aspx
DPW does not see or manage TORT claims.
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