Abinanti Calls for DOT Pothole Website & Stepped-Up Repair

Assemblyman Tom Abinanti (D-Greenburgh/Mt. Pleasant) repeated his call for the State Department of Transportation to set up an emergency repair program and enlist “all additional resources necessary to make our roads safe.”

Abinanti also called for passage of his legislation (A.965) to create an interactive website where motorists can report the locations of significant potholes, check the status of their repair and view the locations of reported significant potholes that must be avoided.

“The recent extraordinary weather has had an extraordinary impact on our State roadways which requires an extraordinary response,” stated Abinanti. “The website would allow drivers to assist the department in prioritizing work and also allow drivers to plan their routes with a map showing where potholes have been reported before venturing out on the roads.”

Currently, New York State DOT runs a pothole hotline where motorists can call to report potholes. Abinanti argued that New York should follow the lead of other states and large cities that utilize the internet to identify newly emerging dangerous locations and to alert motorists to the locations of significant potholes.

“The potholes left unattended have become craters. Cars are swerving around and stopping short of potholes which could result in serious accidents,” said the Westchester Assemblyman. “We need to fix the potholes before a game of dodging becomes a game of bumper cars.”

Abinanti also sponsors legislation (A.425) that allows individuals to pursue damages from potholes on State roads all year long. Currently, Highway Law Section 58 limits state liability for highway defects from May 1 to November 15.