FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno City crews are currently facing a significant increase in the number of reports concerning potholes, correlatively entering the wet season. The crews are working tirelessly around the clock to fill as many potholes as possible before the next anticipated storm hits this Saturday.
Driving along thrashed roads like Mckinley Avenue reveals the frustration of many residents. Potholes become particularly problematic during the rainy season, with drivers frequently dodging them. “We just go around them and I just pray when there’s puddles and it’s raining, I just pray I don’t hit a pothole,” said Fresno resident, Diane Bradford.
Indeed, rainwater is the enemy of road integrity. When water seeps through existing cracks, it significantly weakens the pavement, creating more potholes. According to Scott Moiser, Director of Public Works for the City of Fresno, “Typically, the day after a storm, we may have upwards of 50 or 100 calls in the area, but on a typical fair-weather weekend, we'll just have a small handful.”
The job of maintaining Fresno’s roads fits within the confines of managing costs and resources effectively. Last year, the city established an entire pothole team dedicated to locating and fixing problem areas, responding to citizen reports throughout the year. Recently, the city allocated $7.4 million to hire outside contractors for comprehensive repaving efforts throughout various neighborhoods.
“It was a combination of eight different neighborhoods around the city, and thankfully it came in over 30% under budget,” Moiser shared. To date, city crews have completed pothole fixes and repaving for two neighborhoods, with plans to address the remaining neighborhoods come spring.
When bad weather strikes, the city’s priority quickly shifts. Moiser candidly noted, “You’ll find our City of Fresno maintenance crew out clearing drains, dealing with any downed trees. Very quickly after the storm, they’ll switch back to pothole response.”
The city encourages residents to be proactive about reporting potholes through the Fres-Go app, which not only allows for the reporting of potholes but also provides updates on the status of crews addressing these issues.
With the impending rainy season likely causing even more potholes, residents and the city alike must stay vigilant to keep Fresno’s roads safe and navigable.
