LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass says city crews are working around the clock to repair streets damaged by months of heavy rain, which has contributed to a surge in potholes across the city.
Bass said Friday that public works teams have already filled more than 10,000 potholes this year, with efforts intensifying after storms earlier in the week.
She noted that persistent rainfall has strained infrastructure long overdue for investment.
“For us who have lived in drought for so many years now, it seems as though we are having rain every month,” she said. “With that comes a deterioration in our streets. After decades and decades of not investing in our infrastructure.”
Bass said that crews have repaired more than 2,400 potholes in recent days in response to the latest storms. She said the Bureau of Street Services increases staffing and resources after rainfall to address road hazards quickly.
“Especially after heavy rain, we always see more potholes form, downed trees and other weather-related impacts across the city,” she said. “That’s why our Bureau of Streets Services surges resources after the rain to repair streets and fill potholes with urgency to improve driving conditions for Angelenos.”
Officials say potholes form when water seeps into asphalt, weakens the pavement, and traffic wears the surface down until it breaks apart.
Drivers navigating damaged roads described the conditions as both costly and dangerous.
“I can tell you Venice Boulevard at Washington or Abbot Kinney is a rough road … wearing out your tires,” one driver said.
“They damage your car. They always cause traffic. There’s always collisions. You know, you get popped tires,” another driver said.
City leaders are encouraging residents to report potholes by calling 311.
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