Pothole count increasing in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs has conducted its expanded street paving project for two years now, so why is the number of potholes increasing?

According to Corey Farkas, the city’s public works manager, crews had filled more than 80,000 potholes through the end of November. That’s 15,000 more than crews repaired in all of last year.

Farkas also said fewer citizens are reporting potholes by calling the city’s pothole hotline.

So why are drivers still seeing more potholes in Colorado Springs?

Farkas was unavailable to discuss the matter Friday, but a city spokesperson said the number of pothole crews has increased from eight to 12 because of four new trucks added to the fleet.

More crews, more potholes filled.

Even before the start of the voter-approved sales tax increase to fund the five-year paving project, Farkas said it wouldn’t be enough to pave many streets and those streets continue to deteriorate because of traffic and weathering.

Many drivers said they have yet to see a difference in the additional paving.

“My mom has a spinal cord injury,” said Adrienne Beamesderfer. “We were driving down the street and hit a spot in the road, and it hurts her. I don’t think there’s been enough done to realistically improve the roads.”

But other drivers praise crews for repairing the worst potholes.

“I’m still seeing a lot of them, but not the big ones that can damage your car,” a driver said.

Last year, the city budgeted around $350,000 for pothole repair.

It’s unclear whether the increase in potholes will result in more damage claims from citizens; last year the city paid out five of more than 300 claims.

Local weather has been dry, but the eventual arrival of snow and ice will fuel the freeze-thaw cycle that causes potholes to develop.