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DOT Breaks Record For Number Of Potholes Filled!


By

John Del Signore

Published Jun 24, 2011

Modified Jun 24, 2011


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By

John Del Signore

Published Jun 24, 2011

Modified Jun 24, 2011


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In a truly inspiring example of personal transcendence, the Department of Transportation has shattered its previous record for potholes filled in a single fiscal year. Since July 1st, 2010, workers have filled 400,000 potholes (they had to count them all), besting the previous record of 395,000. The city budgeted $190.4 million for paving and pothole repair operations this year, then threw in another $2 million after the epic winter storms (plus another $40 million that kicks in in July). As you know, the DOT has been charting the pothole filling process with a series of whimsical posts on The Daily Pothole Tumblr, which is written by (we're not making this up) a circular chunk of asphalt with a smiley-face drawn on it, going by the name "Warmy."

The DOT has also announced a "pothole blitz" for this Saturday, when 59 crews will be making repairs to streets in all five boroughs ahead of the Fourth of July weekend. DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan said in a statement, "There’s no rest for the weary as we’re stepping up those efforts with a citywide blitz so our roads will look their best for the holiday weekend." However, the DOT would not comment on rumors that Sadik-Khan only broke last year's pothole record because of flagrant steroid abuse.

Tagged

asphalt

bitumen

dot

potholes

warmy


John Del Signore

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Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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