Road crews scurry to fix potholes before next round of winter weather
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The clock is ticking to fix thousands of potholes around Indianapolis before winter weather makes its way in overnight.
Crews from the Indiana Department of Transportation were hard at work on southbound Interstate 65 near the 38th Street exit Saturday patching potholes that have plagued the city and wreaked havoc on drivers’ nerves.
“This year is pretty bad. I didn’t know how bad it was until the ice finally melted and stuff. It’s bad; it looks like people are drunk driving because you gotta dodge the holes,” said Indianapolis resident Chris Owens.
Meridian Street, which has been hit hard by potholes, is now relatively smooth after Indianapolis Department of Public Works crews fixed massive potholes with hot mix asphalt.
DPW set aside $2 million in its asphalt budget and added a new street maintenance team of 36 people this season to help repair roads.
The warmer weekend weather allowed DPW crews to strip and patch potholes in 17 locations around the city on Friday and Saturday.
Some drivers told News 8 they were skeptical about how quickly the potholes were being fixed.
“No, they aren’t getting better because they are taking all day to do it. All you gotta do is get it done,” said Whitney Jones.
Other drivers said they were just happy to have one less bump in the road.
“I know they got a lot of crap for not filling them fast, but I know they are out there now so, they are hopefully getting them all done. But it’s going to be hard to do, probably,” said Owens.
The next road segments contractors will address are:
- German Church Road from 38th Street to 42nd Street
- 10th Street from Holt Road to Concord Road
- Madison Avenue from McCarty Street nearly to Ray Street
- 86th Street from Purdue Road to Harcourt Road
- Allisonville Roadd from 46th Street to 47th Street