The city goes on pothole patrol

(New York-WABC, February 21, 2006) (WABC) -- The goal in New York City is to fix 1200 potholes a day -- potholes that have suddenly emerged after a roller coaster Winter of warm days followed by super cold.

If you drive then you know. And your car knows. There are thousands of potholes to fix.

Eyewitness News Reporter Tim Fleischer has the story.

No matter where you drive, they seem to come out of nowhere -- potholes. They come in all shapes in sizes, including one we found that was the size of a trench.

And the city is bringing out pothole repair crews in a citywide blitz to repair them. Thirty DOT crews, including this one in East New York, went around today in a time honored process repeated over and over again.

First, you put in the tar after the hole has been swept out. Then comes the hot asphalt. During this blitz, they make about a hundred tons of asphalt a day, because they are trying to fill 1200 potholes a day. Then, they hit the pothole with the whacker to pack it down.

Not so happy are drivers coming off the Cross Bronx Expressway with a flat tire from a pothole. They now need Alfredo Suarez of Collado Tire Shop.

Tim Fleischer: "How many tires a day?"

Alfredo: "30, 40."

"I have to change my truck tires about two, three times a year. What are you going to do?" a driver said.

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