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1200 Pothole Complaints and Counting in Grand Rapids

Posted at 6:49 PM, Mar 10, 2014
and last updated 2014-03-10 20:34:32-04

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (March 10, 2014) — Grand Rapids’ public services director said his department has received 1,200 complaints regarding potholes in the past 45 days.

Large potholes filled with water are on Muskegon Avenue in front of Jean Rackes’ home. She said she and her husband have been in that home for 45 years and never dealt with a pothole so big in front of their driveway.

“There’s no way to avoid the pothole, and my granddaughter got stuck last week backing into it,” she said. “It was so deep.”

Rackes lives directly across from Harrison Park Elementary and Middle School, so a lot of traffic passes by. She said the street has been in poor condition for three weeks.

“Last Saturday, I reported it again, and then finally someone come out today,” she said.

A public works crew showed up to patch some of the holes as FOX 17 filmed. Rackes said it got worse over the weekend as many streets plagued with potholes around West Michigan have. Public services director James Hurt said six crews are working days and six crews are working nights to keep up.

According to Hurt, the freeze-thaw is playing havoc on the roads and the department’s work flow, and they’re trying to address the problem as quick as they can.

“[I] don’t want to get any damage to my car, slice a tire… even the sewer part is exposed now, where it wasn’t before. So it’s easy to cut a tire,” Rackes explained.

Grand Rapids residents can report potholes using the 311 app. You can also call 616-456-3232.

Hurt said leaving a specific address is the best way for them to respond.