HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9938 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9939
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council October 11, 2016
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*a SUBJECT: POTHOLE REPAIR PROGRAM
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The primary goal of the pothole program is two-fold: to repair the deteriorating street system, as
well as to remove any unsafe hazards from the traveling public. This service is performed by in-
house crews divided into four sectors of the city and has a service level of 48 hours to complete
once notified of a hazard. Potholes typically occur right after moisture enters into the base layer
though cracks in the asphalt surface or from under a street. Once the base is saturated and
weakened, vehicle traffic breaks though the asphalt forming the pothole. During inclement
weather and directly after, crews begin "Pothole Roundups." Crews are dispatched to survey
corridors throughout the city to proactively repair potholes that have occurred due to the
prolonged moisture in the street system.
Exhibit 1- How potholes are formed
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In 2015 and 2016, pothole repairs averaged approximately 45,000 annually and are measured as
a 2 feet wide by 2 feet wide by 4 inches deep area. Anything larger is considered a base and
pavement repair and requires additional equipment and resources to complete. Potholes are a
major indicator of the overall health of the transportation network. The number of potholes
occurring annually should reduce as street rehabilitation and pavement preservation activities are
increased.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9939
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council October 11, 2016
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*a SUBJECT: POTHOLE REPAIR PROGRAM
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One of the major initiatives within the repair program in the last two years has been to re-train
staff on the proper way to repair a pothole. This has increased the quality of the repairs so that
potholes can withstand traffic and weather related wear for a longer period so that repatching is
reduced. Crews square-out potholes, sweep them out, apply emulsified tack asphalt to assist in
adhesion, and finally, properly compact the area. As part of the overall program improvement
strategy, four (4) self-contained pothole patching units were approved for purchase through M&C
P-11938 on September 27, 2016 to assist with the amount and quality of pothole repairs. These
units are insulated and heated to ensure minimal waste of the hot mix asphalt; contain jack
hammers to assist in the excavation; and also contain a compact roller to assist in the proper
compaction. These units should improve both the quality and efficiency of the pot hole patching
program.
In addition to pothole repair throughout the City street system, TPW staff has also worked with
other departments such as the Park and Recreation Department to assist in repairing potholes
within park roads and parking lots. On a go forward basis, TPW crews will be placing these park
roads on a rotating maintenance schedule as they service other streets in the area. TPW staff will
also assist Park and Recreation personnel in assessing and prioritizing the maintenance of park
road infrastructure. Prior to this change, which was initiated in the last few months, TPW staff did
not maintain park roads as this was handled by the Park and Recreation Department.
If you should have questions, please contact Richard Martinez, Assistant TPW Director, at 817-
392-7914.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS