[0]Sam helps BOM fix Potholes...When Sam became the transportation commissioner a year ago, finding a way to improve Portland's roads was at the top of his list of priorities. He was concerned with the city's many unpaved gravel roads, the prevalence of potholes and bumps, and the overall quality of the road system.

Drastically improving the situation like we wanted to proved difficult to do, however. Our office's initial plans to upgrade Portland's street system in one fell swoop ran up against the cold, hard reality that we had to cut nearly 20% of our 2005 operating budget, as we simultaneously watched the price of asphalt increase by about 15% from the previous year. (It is worth noting, though, that even in the midst of these massive budget cuts, Sam still succeeded in adding money to PDOT's paving operations. That extra cash, though, did not produce the results we sought in upgrading the roadways.)

This year, however, things are changing. PDOT's budget is not getting any better, but with the City now looking at how to spend an unanticipated general fund surplus, Sam is taking advantage of the opportunity and working to advance his initial goals of fixing the roads.

Sam will be asking Council fund a few programs to improve the roadways, including one that is just rolling out now. (no pun intended)

That program is "Patch and Roll" - a neighborhood by neighborhood sweep of the city to fill every pothole by July. Sam is asking Council for $300,000 for the program.

Right now, potholes are filled only when they are reported. When they go unreported, it can be the source of much motorist ire. When the are reported, a team comes out to fix them within 48 hours. (Call 823.BUMP to report a pothole.)

That is a great program and it will continue into the future. That said, by moving from a system where a crew zig-zags across the city to one where the efforts are more large-scale, systematic and focused, we are seeking economies of scale. In addition to making sure we don't miss ANY potholes, we expect that the price per pothole will be less expensive. [0]Sam filling Potholes

In addition to PATCH AND ROLL, Sam will be asking Council to fund other road-improving initiatives such as a new subsidy program to assist low income neighborhoods in the paving of gravel roads, more money to increase the frequency at which our most important roads are paved, funding for deferred maintenance, and more.

"Patch and Roll" targeted neighborhood pothole repair program began Monday, November 6. The City's pothole repair crew will spend three weeks at a time in three targeted neighborhoods patrolling for potholes and repairing them. If you are a resident of these targeted neighborhoods, you can help our efforts by reporting potholes they find on city maintained streets to the Pothole Hotline (503-823-BUMP). Listen to the recording and be prepared to provide some basic information, including the location of the pothole, nearest cross street, your name and contact information, and the time and date of your call.

For the weeks beginning November 6 through November 24, residents in Piedmont, Woodlawn, and Concordia neighborhoods are encouraged to call in the location of potholes in their neighborhoods. At the end of these three weeks, crews will roll on to three other neighborhoods.

[0]Sam Banishes Potholes from Portland's Streets

Potholes are created when rain penetrates the asphalt of pavement that has been weakened from everyday wear and tear. Once inside, if the water freezes and then thaws, the asphalt is weakened. If this pattern repeats a few times, a pothole results.

In addition to this targeted neighborhood pothole repair program, the Bureau of Maintenance will continue to respond to calls daily received through the Hotline from all around the city.

Here is the schedule for repairs:

Happy driving and riding!

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