Milwaukee sees record-breaking number of potholes following historic weather
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) - For most drivers, a pothole is something to avoid. On Thursday, it was something Wisconsin leaders stepped into.
If roads across Southeast Wisconsin seem rougher than usual this year, officials say there's a reason.
"Weather had played a role, there’s no question about it, but frankly, in the Milwaukee area and in general, because of tornadoes and the floods that happened," said Gov. Tony Evers.
After months of rain, flooding and tornadoes, roads across Wisconsin have taken a beating. Evers said communities may need to prepare for more frequent extreme weather events in the future.
“I think we should plan for that,” Evers said.
Meanwhile, road crews in Milwaukee continue working through a growing backlog of repairs.
“It is across the board. I wish it was in one area, but it’s not,” said Jerrel Kruschke, commissioner of the Milwaukee Department of Public Works.
According to city officials, pothole complaints have reached record levels this year.
“The city received approximately 18,000 pothole service requests this year. More than 11,000 of those requests were submitted during the months of April and May alone,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.
Evers said that following historic flooding last August, President Donald Trump declined to approve federal public assistance to help repair damaged roads and infrastructure.
“Apparently they didn’t see what I saw because it was major, and that really makes a difference in what happens going forward with those streets too,” Evers said.
The Department of Public Works said crews have been working overtime to address the requests, though response times have been slower due to the volume of repairs needed.
“You know, they’re working behind an asphalt truck, so you might see production slow down a little because we want to make sure our employees are safe,” Kruschke said.
Officials said repairing the damage will take time, but crews continue to work through requests across the city.
At one stop, Evers even joined the effort.
“I got my thing and my own gloves! Look at that! Ta da,” Evers said.