Photo by Kevin Wolf
As this year’s winter weather fluctuates between blizzard-like conditions, intense rainfall, and unseasonably high temperatures, the area’s roads are getting hit hard. It could be a “banner year for potholes and a record year for vehicle damage” due to potholes, AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman John Townsend told WTOP.
By mid-April 2014, DDOT filled over 34,000 potholes in just that year. A few months later, Councilmember Mary Cheh held a hearing on a bill to allow the city to delegate street maintenance to Business Improvement Districts. At the time, she said the roads were “like the surface of the moon.”
Last week, NBC4 spoke with a local mechanic who’s already cashing in on cracks, dints, and flat tires on cars that have been unsuccessful in avoiding this year’s big digs.
While Potholepalooza—the city’s annual 30-day campaign to repair as many potholes in the city as possible—won’t kick off until this spring (but reports of potholes and fixes can be made sooner), grumblings are already beginning.
@MDSHA numerous and large potholes on the 8900 block of Old Gtown Rd and Mass Ave leading up to the DC line #potholes
— MC Valko (@mcvalko21) February 15, 2016
Tryna avoid potholes while driving in and around DC is no joke
— ♢Bethann♢ (@bethiiee3) February 13, 2016
Welcome to DC polar vortex. Things we can look forward to: broken metro rails, busted water mains and potholes as deep as sink holes.
— Restonian (@restonian_va) February 13, 2016
DC has more than enough more to repair these damn sink hole size potholes ?
— ty (@simply_tyy) February 11, 2016
the potholes in DC are death
— GOAT (@viaKingRavin) February 11, 2016
I’ll call @DDOTDC to report, but there are giant potholes all over DC. DC has been slow to act. @KennyGibbsPhD @CMBrandonTodd @JacksonCarnes
— Doug Sloan (@DougSloan) February 10, 2016
Fucking DC potholes.
— Usagi Bum Bum (@usagibumbum) February 9, 2016
These DC potholes are ridiculous.
— kristine untalan (@enitskirt) February 9, 2016
Driving in DC right now is like playing Mario kart , trying to avoid these damn potholes
— Posh Spice (@IzzayRozay) February 7, 2016
