San Diego launches proactive pothole repairs in neighborhoods with fewer service requests

As San Diego prepares for potentially heavy rain this winter, the city is taking a different approach to finding and fixing potholes.

Instead of waiting for residents to submit a service request, city crews are inspecting streets and repairing potholes they find. The program focuses on neighborhoods that historically generate fewer pothole reports through the city’s Get It Done app.

The City of San Diego said crews have repaired more than 1,100 potholes that had not previously been reported over the past three months.

Crews rotate through neighborhoods in Council Districts 4, 8 and 9, areas that collectively generate fewer pothole reports than other parts of the city.

The city said the program is designed to reach communities where street issues may be underreported.

Crews continue responding to potholes reported by residents, but the proactive program kicks in when the city’s pothole backlog falls below 100 outstanding requests. That threshold has been reached in 13 of the last 14 weeks.

District 9 Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera said fewer Get It Done reports do not necessarily mean fewer needs. He supports the proactive approach, particularly in communities that have historically seen less investment.

For San Diego motorcyclist Alan Smith, potholes are a daily concern.

“I hit potholes every day because I can’t avoid them there’s so many, that’s how bad it is,” Smith said.

Smith said potholes even affect which routes he takes on his motorcycle.

“I used to go straight down Marlboro to El Cajon Blvd, but not anymore. There’s ruts, and it’s unsafe on a motorcycle,” he said.

Smith supports the city proactively filling potholes, but questions why crews are focusing on neighborhoods with fewer reports.

“I… you know… just why? Why not the ones that have all the reports?” Smith said.

Other residents News 8 spoke with in Kensington raised similar questions, including whether fewer reports could simply mean people in those neighborhoods are not using the Get It Done app.

Christina Hysler, who lives in Allied Gardens, said the city could encourage more residents to use the app and use those reports to help guide repairs.

“I would see if they could try to get more usage on the app and then use that to guide them because I think this is a neighborhood that’s very savvy. So I’d be surprised that they’re not using the app if the potholes are here,” Hysler said.

Still, residents said they are glad to see potholes being repaired.

“Even without the rain, quite frankly, it’s very important. It’s my safety,” Smith said.

The city continues to encourage residents to report potholes and other infrastructure concerns through the Get It Done app or the city’s website.