Date:

March 30, 2006

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831

Karl Fredrickson, Public Works/Utilities Director, 441-7548

City Mayor Coleen J. Seng and the City Public Works and Utilities Department encourage citizens to report potholes that need to be repaired. Potholes are created when water seeps into cracks in the pavement, freezes and expands. Recent snowfall has increased soil moisture and could contribute to new pothole formation on City streets.

“We had a mild winter, but there are still potholes that need to be repaired,” said Mayor Seng. “We want to keep our streets in good condition, so when you see a pothole, please report it so the City can get it repaired.” The City’s goal is to have potholes repaired within 24 hours of when they are reported.

Citizens can report potholes and other street problems in three ways:

• Call the Pothole Hotline at 441-7646.
• Use the online, interactive “ACTION” (Acting with Citizens to Improve our Neighborhoods) system available on the City Web site. The system is available at lincoln.ne.gov (click on “City Service Requests” on the home page or use the keyword ACTION). This form also may be used to report stormwater, snow and ice problems.
• For emergency street problems that need immediate attention, call Public Works at 441-7701.

“This is the first year we have the ACTION system in service to give citizens another way to report potholes,” said Mayor Seng. “The ACTION system allows residents to report potholes 24 hours a day and to track the resolution of their requests.”

Typically, Public Works repairs about 13,000 potholes every year, using about 650 tons of patching material. Public Works officials say there may be fewer potholes this year due to the mild winter.

Mayor Seng urged motorists to drive carefully in those areas where crews are making street repairs. Seng said this construction season, the Public Works and Utilities Department will rehabilitate about 4.5 miles of residential streets. The project areas include:

• South 30th from Randolph to Mohawk
• “D” Street from South 33rd to South 37th
• “U” Street from North 28th to North 33rd
• North 53rd Street from Orchard to “X” Street
• North 52nd from Adams to Madison
• Greenwood Street from North 48th to North 56th
• North 51st Street from Adams to Madison
• Lake Street from 13th to 17th
• South 23rd from Lake to Park
• South 29th Street from Jackson to Calvert
• Otoe Street from South 14th to South 16th
• Puritan Avenue from Stratford to Winthrop
• Mohawk Street from South 40th to South 44th
• South 30th Street from South to Franklin
• North 41st Street from “X” to Holdrege
• Valley Road from 48th to Fall Creek

For more information on street rehabilitation projects, contact the Engineering Services Division at 441-7711.