(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Director Leif Dormsjo kicked off the District's annual Potholepalooza, the District's "war on potholes" campaign to accelerate pothole repair time on roadways across the District. The event was part of Mayor Bowser's Pathways to the Middle Class Tour, a week-long effort leading up to Mayor Bowser's March 31 State of the District Address to highlight ways the Administration is helping to create Pathways to the Middle Class for DC residents.



“Today we are taking a fresh approach to pothole repairs in the District,” said Mayor Bowser. “By adopting new strategies and technologies we are better able to identify potholes, repair them quickly and ensure residents can drive on District roads that are smooth, comfortable, and most importantly, safe.”



Although today's event officially launched the Potholepalooza campaign, DDOT has already filled nearly 7,300 potholes in the last two weeks. Mayor Bowser and Director Dormsjo helped fill potholes on Joliet Street, SW, in Ward 8, as DDOT crews mobilized for the spring season campaign.



This year’s Potholepalooza will run throughout the spring season until all potholes are filled. As part of the campaign, DDOT will add extra crews to fill potholes, with the goal of repairing identified locations within 48 hours. The normal day-to-day response time is within 72 hours.



During Potholepalooza, residents and visitors are encouraged to submit requests for pothole repairs. Residents can track Potholepalooza campaign progress online using this interactive online map, http://ddot.dc.gov/service/pothole-repair. DDOT will post daily updates online of the overall totals of potholes filled.

“We have a common enemy, the pothole, which is in need of eradication,” said DDOT Director Dormsjo, “Today, by declaring war on potholes, we are making it our mission to conquer the enemy for a better tomorrow. We want you, DC's residents and commuters, to do your part for the war on potholes. Send us your requests, and make way for the crew and equipment that we'll be using to smooth our streets.”



The first-ever Potholepalooza was held in 2009; over the past six campaigns, DDOT crews have filled more than 36,000 potholes. In 2014, DDOT received 2,310 service requests for pothole repairs during the month-long campaign and filled more than 13,000 potholes that season.



How to Report a Pothole:

Residents and Commuters can notify DDOT in a variety of ways:

1. Call the Mayor's Call Center at 311

2. Visit DDOT’s online pothole repair site

3. Tweet @DDOTDC and/or use hashtag #potholepalooza

4. Email the Service Request Center

5. Use DC’s 311 smartphone app

