Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett begins 4-day 'pothole blitz.' Here's what that means.

Motorists who have spent the past few weeks dodging potholes might soon have smoother streets in the Circle City.

Officials announced that a four-day "pothole blitz" would begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of 38th Street and Forest Manor Avenue.

In addition to crews from the Department of Public Works, Mayor Joe Hogsett will don a safety vest and help fill the holes that have left countless vehicles stranded.

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Officials are also billing this as the first time in the city’s history that DPW has called on local asphalt manufacturers to start up production in January, allowing DPW crews to use “hot mix” asphalt for pothole patching this week.

According to IndyStar archives, the DPW last used the hot mix before spring in February 2014.

"Hot mix" asphalt is the permanent pothole filler that is usually used at the end of winter to mend worn streets. It holds better than the more temporary "cold mix" asphalt that is typically used for short term patch jobs during colder months.

More potholes are being reported as harsh winter weather winds down, according to city data. Potholes form when water seeps into the road pavement. When that water freezes, it expands and creates the hole..

Residents can still report potholes in Indianapolis through the RequestIndy smartphone app, the RequestIndy portal at maps.indy.gov/requestindy/ or the Mayor’s Action Center at (317) 327-4622.

If you want more context on the city's pothole problems, you can also check out the Pothole Viewer. It shows all of the potholes that have been reported in real time on a map of the city, and shows whether or not the city has responded to the reports.

Call IndyStar reporter Justin L. Mack at (317) 444-6138. Follow him on Twitter: @justinlmack