$700,000 Fresno pothole blitz coming soon to a street near you, city promises

Fresno officials Thursday promised a $700,000 “pothole blitz” to repair city streets pounded by a recent series of intense rainstorms. They also praised efforts of city crews who moved quickly to clear streets of fallen trees and other weather damage.

They also warned that storm damage to roadways underlined the need for more state and federal funds to prevent streets from falling into chronic disrepair.

At a City Hall news conference, Mayor Jerry Dyer stood with city public works crews who have been working extended hours to repair streets and clear fallen trees.

“I’m very proud of their work,” Dyer said. He also urged residents to report potholes and other damage through the city’s FresGo App or by calling the city’s 311 number.

Said Scott Mozier, the city’s public works director:

“We will address ever pothole we observe,” he said of street craters, which can flatten tires, bend wheel rims and damage steering and suspension systems on vehicles.

Long-term street maintenance

But Mozier also warned the emergency repairs have exposed a long-term budget issue for city streets. He said a consultant’s report showed only one-third of streets are in good repair, one-third in fair condition and one-third in poor or very poor shape.

He estimated the amount of deferred maintenance on city streets at $505 million.

Officials hope federal Build Back Better funds along with Inflation Reduction Act money will help fund the maintenance costs.

Dyer said city investment in a $2.8 million tree trimming plan, and the fact that an intense wind storm did not accompany the rain, likely prevented more trees from falling during the storms.

Flood control foresight

The mayor and City Manager Georgeanne White also credited earlier city administrations, beginning in the 1950s, for helping establish the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District. The district’s system of ponding basins, dams and drainage pipes, which can move excess water into irrigation canals, and from there west of the city, helped limit flooding and kept water out of the city’s sewage system.

White said that was likely the difference-maker that prevented the type of flooding heavy rains brought to the Bay Area and Merced.

This story was originally published January 26, 2023 at 5:27 PM.