(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Director Leif A. Dormsjo kicked off the 8th annual Potholepalooza, a six-week campaign to accelerate pothole repairs on roadways across the District. For the first time, District crews will be able to update the status of potholes filled in real time using the latest state-of-the-art technology.
“Today, we are taking a fresh approach to pothole repairs in the District,” said Mayor Bowser. “By adopting new strategies and technologies we are better able to identify potholes, repair them quickly and ensure residents can drive on District roads that are smooth, comfortable, and most importantly, safe.”
Pothole crews will also be able to use a mobile geographic information system (GIS) mapping technology to connect to DDOT’s live service request database. DDOT staff can simply tap on the map and indicate the work performed and can take a picture of the work that was done. The map updates will report to 311 within an hour.
Although today's event officially launched the Potholepalooza campaign, DDOT filled nearly 12,000 potholes in the month of March. As part of the campaign, DDOT will add extra crews to fill potholes, with the goal of repairing identified locations within 48 hours. The normal response time is within 72 hours.
During the month-long operation, residents and visitors are encouraged to submit requests for pothole repairs. Residents can track the Potholepalooza campaign progress online using this interactive online map, ddot.dc.gov/service/pothole-repair. DDOT will post daily updates online of the overall totals of potholes filled.
“This campaign works best when we all work together,” said DDOT Director Dormsjo, “Today, by declaring war on potholes, we are making it our mission to improve the condition of our roads. Send us your requests, and make way for the crews and equipment that are working to repair our streets.”
The first-ever Potholepalooza was held in 2009. Over the past seven campaigns, DDOT crews have filled more than 64,000 potholes. In 2015, DDOT received more than 6,000 service requests for pothole repairs during the spring-time campaign and filled more than 27,000 potholes.
How to Report a Pothole
Residents and Commuters can notify DDOT in a variety of ways:
1. Call the Mayor's Call Center at 311
2. Visit DDOT’s online pothole repair site
3. Tweet @DDOTDC and/or use hashtag #potholepalooza
4. Email the Service Request Center
5. Use DC’s 311 smartphone app
6. Text DC 311, type Pothole and then type the service request location. Type Status for an update