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Crews park plows and pull out pothole repair trucks

Posted at 6:23 PM, Mar 18, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-18 20:32:32-04

COLORADO SPRINGS – If April showers can bring May flowers, then March blizzards bring potholes. The same City crews who were just working 12-hour shifts last week to plow the streets are now out patching all the divots left from the storm.

Jack Ladley, an operations manager with the department of public works, said there were 95 work requests waiting for them when they clocked in this morning.

“I think that’s just the tip of the iceberg, quite honestly,” Ladley said.

The public works department has 9 specialized trucks that operate year-round filling potholes. Ladley explained that they take a triage approach to getting them all repaired.

“We have high, medium, and low priority. High priorities are those potholes that are on our high-speed roadway,” he explained. “So, Academy Boulevard places like that where if you hit a pothole at 45 miles an hour, you’re gonna know it.”

Neighborhood streets are a low priority because cars are moving slower and the risk for damage is lower. Ladley expects to patch anywhere from 85,000 to 90,000 potholes this year.

He asks drivers to be considerate of the crews who are out fixing the damaged streets.

“They’re trying to make your travel time a little smoother and a little nicer,” he said. “Give them space and pay attention, let them get their job done.”

You can report potholes by calling 385-ROAD (7623) OR by using the GoCoSprings app for your smartphone or tablet.