KTVO is responding to viewer emails regarding pothole complaints.
OTTUMWA, IOWA -- An Ottumwa viewer emailed KTVO recently about potholes along the hilly terrain of North Green Street, between East Court and Lincoln Street.
KTVO discovered that some of the potholes have already been patched along that road, but some are still visible.
Other areas of concern are at the intersection of Kenwood Street and McCarroll Drive.
Steve Edgington, Ottumwa's Public Works Operations Superintendent, said that crews work on potholes daily using a variety of material including "hot asphalt mix" or HMA.
"Most of the time we have three crews out doing potholes. We've got a new injection patcher, as well as an HMA when we can get it," Edgington said. "And also we're using UPM mix, which is a high performance pre-mix type material."
Edgington said that all calls regarding potholes are welcome to the Department of Public Works. Those calls may be the only way the department is alerted to the problem.
"Anytime somebody has an issue with potholes they are perfectly welcome to call Public Works. Once they call Public Works, either the Street Maintenance Supervisor or myself will go out and look at the area, determine how bad it is, how soon we need to get there. If it's a tire buster, and it could cause damage, we try to get there as soon as possible. Matter of fact, we'll try and schedule it that day or the next day. We do things by priority," Edgington said.
He added that as of now, crews have all of the supplies they need to repair the roads.
"Money is always an issue. Of course, we're getting towards the end of the budget season right now. We're okay [with materials]. July 1st, of course, the new budget starts and we'll start all over again," Edgington said.
In total, crews have 150 miles of street to maintain in the City of Bridges.