Pothole Problem Proliferates in Los Angeles

Bang! Hiss… flop, flop flop.  The sound of a ruined car tire or bike inner-tube is becoming all too common on Venice's streets.  If you think that there are more potholes than normal this time of year, you’re right. The season’s heavy rains have led to more road surface damage. Water seeps into small cracks, percolating into the earth below. The soil first swells than drains, leaving less support than before. If it happens often enough, the roadway is crushed by the weight of vehicle traffic.

The roads would be worse if weather here ever went below freezing, because the expansion of water as ice is also a contributing factor to pothole creation. So, I guess that's a good thing.

There are stretches of Venice Boulevard and Pacific Avenue that are like obstacle courses. On each trip out of Venice, it seems as if I’m now swerving to avoid major damage to my car. Within the past week alone I have had to replace two bike inner-tubes. But seeing as my Mustang’s Michelin radials cost $100 apiece, I’ve escaped relatively unscathed.

Here’s a helpful hint: I’ve noticed that by allowing more space between me in the car in front, I have more time to take evasive action.

In Venice pothole replacement is the responsibility of the Los Angeles Dept. of Street Services. Due to the city’s budget cuts, the number of repair trucks for road defects throughout the city has had been cut from 24 to 17 while meeting an increased work load.

To report a pothole dial 311.

If you have to replace a tire or tie rod, the city will provide reimbursement for damage on a problem previously reported that has been ignored. You can file a claim here for damages between $20- $1,500.

Although the form requires a diagram and details such as specifying the time and place of your accident, I suggest documenting your claim with extensive photos, the name of a witness, and photocopies of repair receipts. Remember, the money will only be sent to you if the city determines that the damage was due to an act of omission caused by the city.

Finally, be patient. The city is dealing with a backlog of 11,000 claims and it can take as long a year to get a reimbursement.