Starting Thursday, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will launch Patch-a-thon, a new initiative to fill the numerous potholes caused by this season's many winter storms.
There is currently a backlog of more than 1,000 potholes that have been identified by residents and city crews. During Patch-a-thon, PBOT will dedicate extra crews and resources to address the current backlog. During normal operations, PBOT has two to three crews repairing potholes. During Patch-a-thon, this number will rise to 12 to 15 crews.
Transportation Commissioner Dan Saltzman will help kick off the effort by helping a crew fill a pothole on Thursday. The first two days of Patch-a-thon will be Thursday, Feb. 23 and Friday, Feb. 24. In the coming weeks, PBOT will hold a Patch-a-thon on those days when the weather permits effective and safe pothole repair. PBOT will continue Patch-a-thon until the winter pothole backlog has been cleared.
PBOT crews fill more than 8,000 potholes a year, working year round. The work is weather dependent and crews are sometimes diverted to emergencies such as landslides.
Portlanders are encouraged to report potholes by sending a detailed description and photos to PBOT dispatchers by email pdxroads@portlandoregon.gov or by using the PDX Reporter App. They can also call 503-823-1700, PBOT's 24 hour maintenance line.
PBOT will also publish an interactive pothole map, so that Portlanders can track Patch-a-thon's progress.
Source: Portland Bureau of Transportation