City crews busy filling multitudes of potholes

In this 2010 file photo, Willie Harris, with the Public Works Department, fills a pothole with “cold patch” on Iowa Street

Stats for the activity of Lawrence street crews during the past two weeks:

2,368 … Potholes filled and, in some cases, refilled.

594 … Pothole-location complaints received by city officials, through their phone and online reporting systems — 832-3456, for the Pothole Reporting Line; and written reports from the Web.

85.5 … Tons of asphalt used to patch potholes, for an average of 72.2 pounds per hole.

48 … Hours within which crews are expected to repair a pothole, once it’s been reported.

“For the most part, we’re making that happen,” said Mark Thiel, assistant director of public works. The city compiles each day’s work list by adding reports from the previous day, and — given the time of year — the list looks to remain active for weeks. “We’re kind of fighting an uphill battle on potholes,” Thiel said.

3 … Number of four-member crews working to repair potholes, often working overtime during weekdays, Thiel said. Some crews also have worked through weekends, including the federal holiday this past Monday.

3 … Trouble spots, according to Bill Nye, field supervisor: East 23rd Street, east of Haskell Avenue; Louisiana Street, north of 19th Street; and Kentucky Street, from 15th to 18th streets. Also getting repeat visits: Inverness Drive, from Bob Billings to Clinton parkways; and North Second Street, on both sides of the Union Pacific underpass in North Lawrence.

“It’s kind of repetitive, at this point,” Nye said.

1 … Weather forecast of concern, with a potential for snow Sunday night and into Monday. “We’ve got crews ready,” Thiel said.