Pothole season is here--and CDOT is responding

With winter in full swing, CDOT has undertaken an aggressive program to repair potholes on Chicago's more than 3,700 miles of streets and 1,900 miles of alleys.

As the number of potholes increase, the number of repair crews increase.  At the peak of winter, about 24 crews are deployed each weekday.

Over the past few years, CDOT has developed new strategies and technologies to more effectively tackle potholes:

311 tracking

CDOT uses reports of potholes to the city’s 311 system to identify locations and schedule crews. A computer mapping system tracks all potholes reported to 311, providing a geographical representation of potholes in a given area and allowing repair crews to be assigned in the most efficient and effective way.

The maps help CDOT determine the best way to deploy resources and equipment throughout the city--developing routes that allow crews to fill the maximum number of potholes daily.

Seven-day-a-week crew deployment

Thanks to an agreement with trade and labor unions, CDOT now has pothole crews on the streets seven days a week during the winter months. Several crews work 10-hour days Friday through Monday during daytime hours, when traffic is lighter and crews can work more quickly and efficiently.  Through the agreement with the union, the work is paid on regular time, not overtime.  This allows the city to have full-time pothole repair while staying within budget.

Overnight crews

One or two crews work the overnight shift, focusing on high-traffic areas and emergency locations.

CDOT encourages citizens to call 311 to report potholes.

Some good news about winter 2009-2010:

CDOT believes this winter won't pose as big a challenge as last winter, when CDOT filled upwards of 400,000 potholes from December-April.  The reason:  In 2009, CDOT resurfaced nearly 31 miles of arterial streets through the federal stimulus program, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  CDOT chose streets where crews had previously filled thousands of potholes.  Crews this winter will be able to focus on other areas, and won't have to keep returning to the same locations.

Frequently asked questions about potholes