Mayor Emanuel Visits Crews Working Seven Days a Week to Fill Potholes

March 2, 2018

New contract provides flexibility to further strengthens City’s efforts

Mayor’s Press Office    312.744.3334

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Mayor's Pothole Press Meeting

Mayor Rahm Emanuel today visited Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) crews that are working seven days a week to fill potholes across the City.  With as many as 30 crews out a day when weather permits, CDOT has already repaired more than 100,000 potholes in 2018. 

“As temperatures warm up, the City is working around the clock to fill any potholes the winter season has left behind,” Mayor Emanuel said. “Being responsive to neighborhood complaints, whether it’s filling potholes or fixing streetlights is critical to improving residents’ quality of life. It is what our crews do and what we will continue to focus on throughout the year.”

Crews are working around the clock, including weekends and overnights to address pothole complaints received to the City's 311.

Mayor's Pothole Press Meeting

“Quickly repairing our streets helps keep motorist safe. I want to thank CDOT for their efforts and I encourage residents to call 311 to report potholes in their neighborhood” said 7th ward Alderman Gregory Mitchell.

The new union contract also provides the City with flexibility this year to assign additional crews as needed. Laborers permanently assigned to work on concrete, asphalt, electric, signs, and paint projects can now be temporarily transferred to other projects, like pothole repairs, if the need arises.

“We have the ability to further increase the number of crews we have assigned to pothole repairs for this pothole season. The added flexibility of the labor agreement may become needed if we have a significant increase in 311 calls this spring and will be useful throughout the term of the contract ,” said Transportation Commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld.

Conditions on Chicago streets continue to improve thanks to collaboration between CDOT, the Department of Water Management and private utilities, which has worked to repaved more than 1,850 miles of streets and alleyways since 2011; more than one third of the City’s streets.

To report a pothole, residents can call 311; visit the City’s website at www.cityofchicago.org/311 or “Chicago” to 311311 to start the reporting process.

You can also see the calls for service and number of potholes filled during each site visit by visiting the City’s Pothole Tracker at www.cityofchicago.org/potholetracker

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