Mayor Gray and DDOT Launch Potholepalooza 2011

(Washington, DC) Mayor Vincent C. Gray, Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry and District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Interim Director Terry Bellamy launched Potholepalooza, the District’s annual campaign to aggressively repair damaged roadways across the city.

“Winter has officially ended, and pothole season has officially started,” said Mayor Gray. “That means the wear and tear the cold and inclement weather has inflicted on our streets is starting to show. However, even though we have a large hole in our budget to fill, I want to assure residents we are not going to neglect our core services – and that includes filling every pothole.”

The Mayor helped fill potholes on Jasper Place, SE, as DDOT crews mobilized for the month long campaign. During potholepalooza residents and commuters are encouraged to phone in, go on-line, twitter or e-mail requests for pothole repairs. Starting March 21st and running through April 21st, DDOT, the agency responsible for the repair of potholes for the District, will work to repair identified potholes within 48 hours.

“We’ve got a great lineup for Potholepalooza including hot asphalt, cold patch and the pothole killers!” said Director Bellamy, “But we need the public to help decide where we take this tour. We need them to point us in the right direction so we can get the potholes filled as fast as possible.

In 2009 more than 500 residents and motorists reported potholes, and crews from DDOT’s Street and Bridge Maintenance Branch made a total of 6,084 repairs during the first Potholepalooza. Last year DDOT received 1849 service requests for pothole repairs during the month-long campaign and filled 7,690 potholes.

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