(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Bowser kicked off Potholepalooza 2019 and celebrated the beginning of the Maryland Avenue NE Streetscape Project. Due to record rainfalls in 2018, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has seen a significant increase in reports of potholes across the District.
“Potholes are frustrating and dangerous, and with a record-number of potholes this year, we’re, once again, doubling-down on our efforts to get them fixed,” said Mayor Bowser. “As Potholepalooza gets started, we continue urging residents to report potholes and other dangerous road conditions to 311. Working together, we can ensure that our streets, sidewalks, alleys are safe for all who use them.”
Since January 1, 2019, DDOT has received 7,550 pothole service requests and filled more than 5,300 potholes. For comparison: Last year, between January 1, 2018 and March 18, 2018, DDOT received 3,295 requests. As part of Potholepalooza, residents and drivers are encouraged to submit service requests via the Mayor’s Call Center at 311 or online (reports should include the specific location of the pothole).
“Record rainfalls have produced a record number of potholes this year and Mayor Bowser has directed DDOT to be more proactive in addressing the road conditions,” said DDOT Director Jeff Marootian. “DDOT crews are working across the District, concentrating resources in one ward each day to address work orders and to fill potholes that may not be reported. As a result, our crews are working more efficiently, and we’re filling more potholes.”
The Maryland Avenue NE project will improve safety and access for bikes, pedestrians, and cars on the Maryland Avenue corridor between 2nd Street and 14th Street NE. The project includes new lighting and traffic signals, high visibility crosswalks, traffic calming, shorter crossing distances for pedestrians, and new bike lanes. DDOT anticipates the project will be complete by June 2021.
Mayor Bowser’s recently released Fiscal Year 2020 budget proposal includes big investments in the city’s streets and transportation infrastructure, including: $122 million for a new K Street NW Transitway; $4.7 million for Vision Zero initiatives, including hiring new bike lane parking enforcement officers; $16 million for free DC Circulator service as well as expanded East of the River Circulator routes; and $240 million for new streetscaping projects, including the reconstruction of “Dave Thomas Circle.”