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LA’s pothole saga: Navigating a roadway riddled with challenges
Los Angeles Jan 29, 2024
Photo by Ian Taylor on Unsplash
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Los Angeles is grappling with widespread infrastructure and safety challenges, according to recent data. StreetsLA has been tackling a record number of potholes in LA. Spokesperson Dan Halden indicated a significant increase in repairs, “StreetsLA completed approximately the same number of pothole requests as in all of calendar year 2022,” from January to March 2023 alone. Halden did not provide the repair costs.
Potholes doubled in LA from the previous year, with intense storms as a primary cause, leaving streets in conditions likened to ‘Swiss cheese.’ Halden’s remarks highlight an urgency for repair. Reporting systems like MyLA311 facilitate quick reporting and tracking of infrastructure issues.
Elizabeth Vazquez, a spokesperson for the L.A. County Public Works, echoed the sentiment that the wet season worsens road conditions, with the county’s unincorporated areas showing similar trends.
Beneath the city’s sheen, Caltrans District 7 juggles freeway pothole repair with traffic management. Caltrans spokesperson Eric Menjivar underscored the weight of external conditions on infrastructure wear, stating, “The heavy rainy season Los Angeles County experienced exacerbates the formation of potholes.” He added that the timing for pothole repairs can span “a few hours to days,” reflecting the scope of the challenge. The narrative of LA’s pothole plight is underpinned by a burdensome increase in pothole reports – a 133% jump compared to the previous year, further highlighting the city’s struggle against nature’s impact on its roads.
As reported by laist.com, news.yahoo.com and pelhamplus.com.
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