NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) — For many New York City drivers, it’s a familiar frustration, potholes scattered across streets and highways, turning daily commutes into a bumpy and sometimes costly ride. Now, the city says help is on the way.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) launched a weekend “Pothole Blitz,” sending dozens of crews across the five boroughs to repair damaged roads that have worsened after months of winter weather. For some, the problem has become more than just an inconvenience.
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“I got like three flat tires because of potholes,” driver Insa Toure told PIX11 News. “Yesterday, and I didn’t know what was happening. And last Sunday it happened again. There are a lot of potholes in the city. If they could do something, I’d be happy.”
Taxi drivers say the damage can also threaten their jobs.
“I’m afraid to drive because it can damage it anytime,” said Faisl Choudary, a taxi driver. “If something happens to your car, it’s a big deal because you’re a taxi driver. I cannot work for a week or days.”
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The issue comes at a time when drivers say commuting is already getting more expensive. Some point to congestion pricing and rising gas prices amid tensions in the Middle East as additional pressures on their budgets.
City officials say potholes tend to multiply during the winter months, when freezing temperatures and road salt weaken pavement. As temperatures fluctuate, water seeps into cracks, freezes, and expands, causing the asphalt to break apart.
According to the DOT, tens of thousands of potholes have been reported across the city this year.
In response, the agency deployed more than 80 repair crews starting early Saturday morning as part of the weekend repair blitz. PIX11 crews saw workers filling potholes along the Henry Hudson Parkway as part of the effort.
Drivers say the repairs are long overdue. “We’ve got to pay attention more to the city,” said Avery Balkcom, an MTA driver. “We pay taxes, some people are paying road taxes. You’ve got to give us what we need if you want what you want.”
The DOT said it has already repaired more than 50,000 potholes since the start of the year, and crews are hoping to fix thousands more before the weekend ends.
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