Reported your (least) favorite pothole lately? New SDOT stats

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

Above are two SDOT maps from the pothole program – at left, pending potholes as of last week; at right, recently patched potholes as of last week. Today the department is out with its latest stats: 23,000 potholes filled last year, 50 percent more than the year before, and the most in any of the past five years. The roads suffered extra damage in the December ice storm, so SDOT says it’s beefed up its response team, and is on an even busier pace so far this year – 5,500 potholes filled since January 1st. They warn that the usual within-three-days response-time goal has been tougher to meet while they catch up on storm damage. The update notes:

When SDOT crews respond to a request to fill a pothole, they also repair any other nearby potholes they discover. This year, crews have also been patrolling snow plow routes to proactively look for new potholes. These routes are essential to Seattle’s transportation system and are more likely to develop potholes because they carry more heavy vehicles during winter storms.

New potholes continue to appear every day, so SDOT is asking for the traveling public’s patience as crews continue to repair new road damage. SDOT cannot fix potholes that it doesn’t know about, so the public can help by reporting any potholes using the Find It, Fix It app, this online form, emailing 684-ROAD@seattle.gov, or calling 206-684-ROAD.

Today’s update also addresses the question of why some potholes need repeated refilling.

DC February 16, 2023 (1:15 pm)

Don’t know if it counts as potholes, but any idea what the plan is for the repair of southbound bus lane on Delridge between Dakota and Genesee? Major road damage has had the bus lane closed for weeks with no apparent attempt to fix it.

WSB February 16, 2023 (2:17 pm)

Did you report it? If not – use the same phone number/email address mentioned above.
- DC February 16, 2023 (2:39 pm)
  
  I figured, perhaps naively, that since there were signs saying the lane was closed the city would be aware of the issue. Seems like there should be communication between whatever department put up the signs and the people fixing the roads… Anyways, I just reported it. Thanks for the info WSB.

bolo February 16, 2023 (1:21 pm)

So so grateful for this needed service. Wish there was a more durable solution. I understand the winter salting is extremely corrosive to the concrete surfaces.

Jort February 16, 2023 (2:08 pm)

Hmm, interesting, I read the update from SDOT (Seattle’s official government automobile advocacy organization) and didn’t notice a single dollar sign ($) in the entire release. Odd, since basically every single non-automobile street project is always prominently given a cost figure, as well as a lengthy “public comment” period for the airing of uninformed grievances. Why was I not sent a postcard mailer asking for me to attend a public meeting and “online open house” about the “impacts” of making it easier for people to drive more quickly in the city? Seattle road deaths continue to increase every single year, and cars are Seattle’s number one source of carbon emissions.

CarDriver February 16, 2023 (4:42 pm)

Jort. Have you gone to city council chambers with like-minded people to air your grievances?? I’m sure WSB would cover it. Surely you could convince politicians to pass severe and expensive rules on all road users. There’s got to be lots of people who hate cars and delivery trucks like you do.
Gatewood resident February 16, 2023 (7:41 pm)

You might think it’s “rage against the machine” but to me your commentary just sounds like more of the same tired Seattle politics that gets us streets and public infrastructure that need repair and criminals out day and night criming without fear of any real consequences

Crystal February 16, 2023 (3:16 pm)

I’ve used the pothole, find it fix it, app a couple of time over the last couple of years to no avail. The potholes reported have not been fixed they are just getting bigger and deeper. Is there another way to get them reported and fixed?

Crow February 16, 2023 (9:12 pm)

I’ve used the app over the last couple of years, and reports tend to be handled or routed to relevant departments in my experience. With potholes, it seems like it is very important to accurately place the location marker on the correct street as close to the literal spot as possible and not just the general area.

Bruce February 16, 2023 (4:00 pm)

The bridge on Admiral Way above the Fairmount Ravine has had its potholes filled many many times in the eastbound direction, particularly in the right-most lane. I’ve reported them myself probably a dozen times and suggested that what they need to do is repave the section, not just patch it over and over. But, all they do is patch it again, which lasts about a week if we’re lucky.

jw February 17, 2023 (8:45 pm)

Any pothole next to train tracks. SDOT does not fix them right away, BNSF or who owns them has to give permission and it takes months or years. I use find it fix it and it does no good for these.

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