LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 11, 2015) – Mayor Greg Fischer launch this year’s Pothole Blitz, an annual event aimed at ridding Louisville’s city streets of the many potholes left by the repeated freeze-thaw cycles of winter.
Public Works crews will systematically go through the city’s streets patching potholes until all roads are covered, a process that should continue into late April. Fischer Got the process started when he put on safety gear and shoveled asphalt into a pothole on Ninth Street.
Pothole statistics for the past three fiscal years
Fiscal Year 2012: In the full year ending June 30, 2012, there were 26,827 potholes patched. In the blitz months of March and April 2012 there were 7,627 potholes patched.
Fiscal Year 2013: In the full year ending June 30, 2013 there were 28,953 potholes patched. In the blitz months of March and April 30, 2013, there were 10,384 potholes.
Fiscal Year 2014: In the full year ending June 30, 2014, there were 46,893 potholes patched. In the blitz months of March and April 2014, there were 19,891 potholes patched.
Each year the same crews that lead the snow fighting effort through the winter turn their attention in March to patching potholes.
Potholes are created by a combination of water that seeps through cracks caused by normal wear and tear in asphalt, repeated freezing and thawing temperatures, and the weight of traffic. Cold temperatures cause the water to freeze and expand, weakening the pavement. The weight of traffic on the weakened pavement then breaks the asphalt, eventually leaving a hole that grows as more traffic goes over it.
Citizens are urged to report potholes to MetroCall by dialing 311 or 574-5000. Reports may also be made through an online service request at louisvilleky.gov/government/metrocall-311. Potholes on interstate highways should be reported to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet at (877) For-KYTC or (877) (367-5982).
Add Comment