PAT SHAVER
Courier Staff Writer
OTTUMWA — OTTUMWA — For Leslie Starr, the potholes in the alley near her house are getting worse by the day.
“Just in the last week it has gotten worse; just since yesterday it has gotten worse,” she said.
Starr, who has several disabilities, said the pothole-filled alley is the only access to the driveway to her residence, and is used by delivery trucks to bring her medications. The deteriorating alley has become a nuisance and damaged her car, she said.
“This is a matter of taking care of our medical needs, and we can’t take care of them if we can’t transport ourselves,” Starr said.
Since August 2008, she said, the potholes near 414 Evergreen St., have been an issue but not a priority for city crews to repair.
City officials say the areas with higher priority, like main streets and emergency routes, are the focus. Other areas will get done eventually.
Public Works Superintendent Steve Edgington said the potholes this year are the worst he’s seen.
Last year, they estimated there were 4,000 potholes repaired in Ottumwa. This year, there are definitely more, Edgington said.
The main factors that cause potholes are how the road has been maintained and weather factors like moisture and fluctuating temperatures.
“We’re going to address it one way or another, but it’s going to take time,” he said. The streets department has had a number of staff cuts over the past few years. “We’re working on it, and we’re going to do the best we can.”
There are three full-time city crews out filling potholes around town. They are going through about $1,000 in UPM, or unique pavement material, every day. It costs the city about $120 per ton of the mixture. Edgington does not have concerns about having enough money to repair the potholes, though.
Some of the worst streets the city had already planned to resurface this summer. Right now, crews are doing more temporary repairs; permanent work will be done in May, Edgington said.
Residents who believe there is a major or dangerous pothole somewhere can report it to the public works department by calling 683-0688. A supervisor will go to the location and determine if it needs immediate repair or add it to the list and repair it eventually.
Some of the streets crews have repaired or plan to repair soon include: Pennsylvania Avenue, Rochester Street, North Court Street, Ferry Street, Sheridan Street, among others.
Drivers should be careful when going over potholes, Edgington said.
“Just slow down and watch where you’re going. A lot of the damage is caused from excessive speed,” Edgington said.
Pat Shaver can be reached at (641) 683-5360 or by e-mail at p.shaver@ottumwacourier.com.
