New Rochelle Promises More Work on Potholes

NEW ROCHELLE—The rough winter has once again plagued the roadways of New Rochelle, creating a rampant pothole problem across the entire city.

According to Public Works Commissioner Alex Tergis, the frigid temperatures and overwhelming amount of precipitation took their toll on the City’s infrastructure.

“The roads are definitely much worse condition due to deep-freeze and the long-term winter effects,” said Tergis. “This has not been a typical winter.”

The welcoming news for residents comes from a unanimously approved $200,000 budget expenditure, which has allowed the City to hire outside contractors in order to carry out repair efforts.

“I would say that this year we are probably spending twice, to three times as much as the previous year,” Tergis said.

According to infrastructure professionals, a pothole is a natural underground cavity formed by the erosion of rock by action of water, so it is to no surprise that potholes have victimized the streets of New Rochelle after the brutal winter season it just endured.

According to Tergis, the city has had to resort to hiring contractors due to the high demand for staff in other areas of the Public Works department “We are constantly having to loan out our manpower to fund and hold operations which are critical, such as sanitation on a daily basis,” he said

Along from the hiring of outside contractors, the city has for the most part been able to avoid using cold patch—a cold asphalt mixture used during winter months that provides a solution until more effective, hot asphalt repairs can be ordered once the outside temperature begins to rise.

“It has been used, but we did not have to use it much this winter,” Tergis said. “As early as February we were using hot patch material,” he added.

The City has also taking into consideration the idea of implementing new technology in order to combat the pothole epidemic for the winters to come.

In a recent City Council meeting, the committee entertained the thought of adapting the latest innovation in pothole technology, called the ‘Pothole Killer’—a one-man truck capable of filling potholes at a high rate of speed, according to Councilman Jared Rice.

“I want us to be informed, and stay ahead of the curve in terms of what other communities are doing,” said Rice.

The machine benefits by removing debris and moisture from the pothole, and forcefully filling the cavity with a rubberized tar mixture. And while the machine is capable of working year-round, even through the harshest of winters, it is not designed to accommodate all types of potholes.

“This type of technology is ideal for widely spaced potholes where you have one in one location, and another 100 feet away,” said Tergis. “If it’s a huge area, the amount of material the truck holds will be used up in no time.”

While the City has not committed to whether or not it will hire Patch Management Inc., the company responsible for operating the ‘Pothole Killer’, they are taking the necessary steps in exploring the latest innovations in pothole repair.

For now, it will continue with its plan to use outside contractors and public works staff, in order to fill potholes and erosion areas around the City.

“I think we have done exceptionally well with the resources we have,” Tergis said

In order to report any potholes or paving problems, you may contact the City Bureau at (914) 235-4029

Photographs:

1) Potholes scattered across city roadways will soon be filled with hot asphalt. CREDIT: Antonio Coppola

2) The ‘Pothole Killer’ seen in action. CREDIT: www.dot.ny.gov