2 men fill own neighborhood potholes

Two Indianapolis men say they’re fed up with Indy’s pothole problems and are taking matters into their own hands. 

Mike Warren started the group Open Source Roads and works with his friend and Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis student Chris Lang to patch potholes on their neighborhood roads. 

The two worked on several holes Thursday near West St. Clair Street and Indiana Avenue. 

“I just get really frustrated,” Lang said. “We’re pretty much just trying to fix the potholes not only because we want the potholes fixed because we drive and care about these roads, but people see it.”

Sure enough, passersby pointed, honked and waved as Warren and Lang, surrounded by safety cones, poured pothole patch onto the asphalt. 

“Hopefully, eventually, our hard work here turns into change throughout the city,” Lang said. 

“Overwhelmingly, the response has been positive,” said Warren, wearing an orange safety vest. “I’ve had people give me spare bottles of water, some food, camaraderie.”

Lang said they get the materials at the hardware store, scout out the location, set up a lane barricade and get to work. 

“That right there was $7 and 15 minutes of work,” he said, referring to a patched pothole on Indiana Avenue, “and that’s about 20 extra feet you don’t have to dodge on Indiana now.” 

As for the legality of what they’re doing, Lang said, they’ve done research and determined where they are and aren’t allowed to work on city roads.

“I’ve had about a dozen cop cars drive by me or cross paths with me. Not one of them has tried to write me a citation or lock me up,” Warren said.

Betsy Whitmore, Indianapolis Department of Public Works communications director, said a permit is required. She submitted this statement about Warren’s efforts:

“We appreciate his passion to be part of the solution when it comes to road repairs, but there are certain protocols which include getting a permit to work in the city’s right of way. This ensures that the city knows what work is being performed on city-owned assets, who is doing the work and what materials are being used.
 
“Safety is the greatest concern on this matter. Working in open traffic requires training and attention to safety standards.

“DPW urges residents to report potholes through the Mayor’s Action Center or through the Request Indy portal.” 

While 24-Hour News 8 was interviewing Warren and Lang, a Public Works crew drove by and began patching Indiana Avenue. The two groups didn’t interact, but Warren and Land said they are happy to see the city at work. They said they are awaiting the day when every road in Indianapolis is smooth. 

“Until then we keep it up,” Lang said. “As long as we’ve got funding and time.” 

Additionally, Warren and Lang are working to enhance Open Source Roads with software that helps them track potholes. “Open Source” itself is a nod to their computer engineering backgrounds.

They filled 100 holes last year and finished hole No. 5 for 2018 on Thursday. If you’d like to support their efforts, go to their GoFundMe account.