San Antonio's streets are getting a facelift this April as the city's Pothole Patrol blitzes through town, repairing the bumpy scars that mar our daily commutes. According to KSAT, the Department of Public Works crews have already surpassed their goal of 10,000 potholes this month and have set their sights on breaking last year's record of over 14,000 filled mini craters.
The effort, now in its eighth year, has not been a quiet tread but rather a determined march with 12 crews fanning out across San Antonio, filling about 700 potholes each day, in the quest of making these streets less of a vehicular obstacle course and more of a smooth journey. As per the Public Works operations manager, John Tapia, "It could be six inches by six inches; if we don’t repair them now, they're only going to get bigger," he told KSAT.
Residents have already begun to see the benefits of this swift action, as local Gloria Gutierrez, a resident near the recently repaired corner of Blockade and Oglethorpe streets, expressed satisfaction as she witnessed the crew's efficiency first-hand. “It’s great, and I think it’s a real credit to our city that they’re able to come out and do this,” Gutierrez expressed in a statement obtained by KSAT.
The city's pothole problem isn't just about cosmetics but also the pocketbook, as some residents have experienced significant distress, like Thomas James, whose unfortunate encounter with a Lancer Street pothole deployed his car's airbags—this revelation comes alongside hundreds of other similar citizen grievances voiced on social media, as mentioned by News 4 San Antonio. While the city employees have found 95% of the potholes to be repaired, they are aiming to step up community engagement, thus further curbing the pothole menace, with reports being acted upon within two business days, according to Nadia Canales from the city's Pothole Patrol, in a statement to News 4 San Antonio.
San Antonians are urged to keep contributing to this cause, and if they spot a pothole, to not hesitate to report it through calling 311 or using the SA 311 app, as every pair of eyes and every report can lead to a smoother, safer drive for everyone in this charming Texas town.
