Brooklyn – Councilman David G. Greenfield praised Mayor Bloomberg and the Department of Transportation for recognizing the dire state of our city’s streets and pledging millions in additional funds to immediately fill potholes and repair roads across the five boroughs. At a press conference today, Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan joined members of the City Council’s Transportation Committee, of which Councilman Greenfield is a member, to announce that $2 million in additional funding was earmarked for overtime pay that will allow pothole crews to work extended weekdays and weekends.

“I almost got into a car accident the other day because a pothole jerked my car to within an inch of another car,” Greenfield explained. “I applaud Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Sadik-Khan for responding to our complaints and recognizing the danger that these potholes pose to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike.”

The $2 million allocation will allow 30 repair crews to work 20 extended weekdays and 40 crews to work 10 weekend days through April. DOT has noted that, on an average day, they are able to fill roughly 2,000 potholes. However, yesterday, February 15th, DOT crews filled 3,859 potholes across the five boroughs and 3,204 were filled the day before last. With an unknown number of potholes covering roadways across the city, and several weeks of winter left, the DOT still has a lot of work ahead.

“I trust that the Department of Transportation will do everything they can to address pothole problems, but we can help facilitate their efforts by making sure that the agency knows exactly where the problems are,” said Councilman Greenfield. “That is why I am encouraging my constituents to report the most severe potholes directly to my office at (718) 853 2704. In turn, we will work with DOT to direct resources to the blocks that need it the most to help ensure that everyone can keep moving this winter.”

Councilman Greenfield’s office is located at 4424 16th Avenue in the Borough Park section of Brooklyn. His office is open 45 hours a week: 9am – 6pm Monday through Wednesday, 9am – 9pm Thursday and 9am – 3pm on Friday.

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(YWN Desk – NYC)