Mayor Hogsett, DPW, other city officials run blitz on potholes ahead of 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend

Mayor of Indianapolis Joe Hogsett, alongside the Department of Public Works (DPW), Indianapolis City-County Council, American Federation of State, AFSCME Local 723 and others announced a plan for filling the influx of potholes in the city on Feb. 8. 

“The city has engaged with local asphalt plants to open up early, providing crews with early access to the hot mix asphalt that creates more enduring fixes on our city’s streets,” Hogsett said.

As part of a five-year, $1.2 billion capital infrastructure plan, the city has allocated $284 million toward transportation projects and $79 million towards stormwater projects in its 2024 capital plan budget. 

Last year, DPW packed over 300,000 potholes in Marion County, completing over 18,000 service requests. 

“Our dedicated AFCME Indy DPW crews will be putting in extra hours while the weather cooperates to ensure a smoother and safer surface on local roads across the county,” Hogsett said. 

The plan for a pothole fix with hot mix asphalt comes just in time for NBA All-Star Weekend, being held here in Indianapolis, beginning Feb. 16. 

“Your councilors are in constant contact with Indy DPW to share what we are hearing about roads in our districts,” President of the Indianapolis City-County Council Vop Osili said during the press conference. 

DPW will utilize upwards of 170 workers navigating 10-hour shifts beginning Feb. 8. President of DPW Brandon Herget was also in attendance for the press conference.

Osili advised residents to report potholes to the Mayor’s Action Center or the Request Indy app. 

“The quality of roads in neighborhoods directly impacts the quality of life, and this is a crucial step to meeting the needs of our residents,” Osili said. 

AFSCME Local 725 President Steve Quick also reassured residents that they are working around the clock to fix Indianapolis’ damaged streets. 

“Our crews with Indy DPW are on the frontline of repairing these potholes, which is an extremely labor-intensive and tiring process,” Quick said during the press conference. 

The city will now use hot mix asphalt. It previously utilized cold mix asphalt, which is often regarded as less durable and requires repairs sooner than its heated counterpart. 

City officials also urged drivers to exercise safe driving during increased road repair hours.

Contact multimedia staff writer Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on Twitter @3Noral. For more NBA All-Star news courtesy of the Indianapolis Recorder, click here. You can also check out the Indiana Minority Business Magazine by clicking here.