Progress slow but steady on pothole patching

The last winter storm slowed pothole repairs in Colorado Springs but good weather has allowed those crews to catch up.

To reduce a backlog of more than 500 pothole reports, the city has added four crews — bringing the total to 12.

“We have just filled just under 1,200 potholes,” said Corey Farkas, manager of the city’s Streets Division. “That was almost 10 days ago. So comparatively, from last year, it was under where we were last year at this time.”

However, Farkas said he expects that late winter and early spring storms will worsen the pothole situation.

On Wednesday, several drivers said they’re happy to see some of the largest potholes being filled, including several on Pikes Peak Avenue near Memorial Park that generated many complaints.

“I’ve hit quite a few,” said Connie Ferguson. “I probably need an alignment on my car, but I’m glad the potholes are getting filled.”

Dick Barton described some of the worst potholes as “axle-busters.”

“I noticed last week that crews were working on them,” he said. “I’m glad to see it. It’s long overdue.”

Lindsey Breton agreed.

“Potholes are a problem,” she said. “But when crews are told about them, they get fixed quickly. I appreciate that.”

Farkas said East Pikes Peak Avenue, Centennial Boulevard and South Academy Boulevard are in such poor condition that the city will rebuild them through funding from the Rural Transportation Authority tax.

The work will be done over the next few years.

Meanwhile, Farkas said the city is close to selecting contractors for the five-year plan to repave streets with money from last fall’s voter-approved sales tax increase. That paving starts in April or May, he said.