Town of Hempstead takes on potholes

The Town of Hempstead is increasing road crews assigned to pothole repair by 66 percent over last year, according to Supervisor Kate Murray, who held a news conference in North Merrick on Monday morning to announce the increased resources.

Murray, who was joined by Councilman Gary Hudes, of Levittown, said a series of fierce winter storms that have dumped more than two feet of snow on Long Island since Jan. 1 have caused a marked increase in potholes across the town.

“We’re declaring war on potholes,” said Murray. “By adding crews and equipment to fortify the work of town highway crews, we will be able to fill more potholes in a shorter period of time.” The supervisor encouraged town residents to call to alert town officials about potholes in their neighborhoods.

The town will dedicate 30 trucks to pothole repair work in the coming weeks, while it normally assigns 18 trucks to the job. To date, the town has laid down 225 tons of asphalt for road repair, and the town has received about 600 calls to fill roadway craters. Additionally, town highway workers have filled hundreds of other potholes they have encountered while responding to reported craters.

Parks and sanitation department workers are also being trained to do the roadway repairs.

“Our crews are out working hard to fix the damage that Mother Nature has left in her path,” said Hudes. “The additional road repair crews will make town roads pothole-free more quickly.”

To report a pothole, call the town Highway Department at (516) 812-3471, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Murray noted that the town is responsible for repair of town roads, which are generally residential streets in local neighborhoods. New York state and Nassau County oversee the parkways and most major roads in commercial areas. To report potholes on county roads, call (516) 571-6900. To report them on state roads, call (800) POTHOLE. Residents of incorporated villages should alert their villages.

“This has been a tough winter for town workers and residents alike,” said Murray. “We want to make sure that the road to springtime is a smooth one and free of potholes.”