Pothole patrol update in Savannah, 687 repaired by “Uncle Fill” in May

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The city’s annual pothole repair numbers have stayed consistent year over year, but utility-related asphalt cuts (sinkholes or unpaved cuts in asphalt) have doubled due to growth and development in the area.

One of the most recent pothole problems was at West Bryan Street and Ann Street on Wednesday morning. A viewer submitted a video to WTOC of their car being towed after they said a massive pothole they drove over flattened two tires and cracked a rim.

Others throughout Savannah shared similar frustrations but also had optimism about the city’s response to potholes.

Senior Director for Savannah’s Department of Transportation Steve Henry says they are on pace to repair about 7,000 potholes this year. 762 were repaired in May, and 687 of them were done by “Uncle Fill,” a pothole patcher that only needs one person driving it.

They repaired just more than 650 in March, 460 of them then using Uncle Fill.

“Okay, here’s the request we got, let’s go ahead and ride this whole neighborhood and see if there’s any other potholes or defects and take care of them while he’s there before we get a request,” said Henry.

He’s hopeful their new response program, where crews are proactively searching for issues instead of waiting on reports, will help clear the path for people.

With 10 people covering 700 miles of Savannah city roadways, it’s a challenge, but Uncle Fill is on the job.

“For the minor defects, smaller potholes, Uncle Fill does a great job and really gets us ahead of the game and allows a quick response to any complaints or concerns,” said Henry.

They do have a new pothole response program, though with crews going out to districts they’ve laid out every day to search for issues instead of waiting on reports.

“I usually swerve around it if there are no other cars, but sometimes you just got to take it, you know, run through the pothole,” said William Kearson.

“They’re not on, like, every block on every street, but there is a few, and you hit them, and you’re like, ‘Oh, dang,’” said Anthony Zapotosky.

Charlotte Chacon said, “I wouldn’t say super all over the place but definitely more than I’d like to see.”

Reporting through the 311 City Service Request Form is still more than welcome, and people can call “311″ for help.

Many WTOC spoke with on Wednesday shared they didn’t know where to find it or how easy it is to fill out.

So people wait to see if their needs are fulfilled – depending on whether their problem is filled.

“I feel like there are a lot of words that are heard and things are changing,” Zapotosky said.

“I don’t really see them getting repaired all that often,” Chacon added.

“I’ve seen them fill some, I feel like they do a pretty good job when they fill it,” said Kearson. “It’s flat. You’ll notice a difference.”