Chicago's persistent pothole problem is seeing some relief this year, thanks to unseasonably warm weather. The Chicago Department of Transportation has filled over 143,000 potholes so far—an uptick of more than 30,000 compared to the same timeframe last year. This boon for city streets has been largely attributed to a milder winter, which has allowed maintenance crews to quickly fill in the troublesome craters that plague drivers.
The city's fleet of 25 crews has been toiling away seven days a week, addressing 311 requests and going above and beyond to fill thousands of potholes per day when the skies remain clear of rain, Fox32 Chicago reported. These unsightly pits form as water infiltrates the underbelly of the pavement, expands upon freezing, and then contracts when it thaws, causing the pavement to slowly deteriorate and give way.
"CDOT has capitalized on this winter’s mild weather, enabling us to fill a significantly larger number of potholes in the first two months than we have in recent years," stated Tom Carney, CDOT's acting commissioner, in an address caught by the Chicago Sun-Time. With the arduous task of pothole repair somewhat abated, the department is looking to quickly move on to tackle other roadway maintenance and improvements, notably the repaving of alleys.
Additionally, there's an ambitious plan by CDOT to resurface 150 miles of streets and alleys throughout the current year, including a 2-mile stretch on South Ashland Avenue in Auburn Gresham. "Quickly repairing our streets and responding to pothole complaints are the type of neighborhood services that make a big difference in quality of life for residents. I thank CDOT for their efforts, and I encourage residents to call 311 to report potholes in their neighborhood," alderman David Moore (17th) was quoted saying by the same Sun-Times. These street overhauls aim to significantly extend the life of the city's thoroughfares.
City residents are reminded they can contribute to the pothole eradication efforts by reporting any they encounter via the city's website, the CHI311 mobile app, or simply by calling 311. With the cooperation of the public and the efficiency of CDOT's crews working in these milder conditions, Chicago's streets are slated to become smoother and safer for everyone on the road.
