KANSAS CITY, MO — Since the beginning of the year, the Kansas City, Missouri, Public Works Department reported more than 3,000 pothole cases.
The pesky road bumps have been an issue throughout the metro for some time, but with fewer cars now on the roadways, crews are hoping to take advantage of the empty streets and fill the holes.
41 Action News spoke with the Public Works Department, which said that since the March 24 stay-at-home order went into effect, 440 potholes have been reported to 311.
Crews have been able to fill about half of that number, repairing 212 potholes as of Friday.
Kansas City Public Works said less traffic on the roads does make it easier for crews to maneuver to patch the potholes, but COVID-19 regulations make it hard to tell if it has allowed them to get work done any more quickly.
"Our operational changes do involve a staff rotation, so even though there is less traffic out there, we do have less staff out day-to-day because of social distancing," said Maggie Green, public information officer for the Public Works Department.
These crews are considered essential and will continue to work on the additional 220 reported potholes.
If you see a pothole and would like to report it, Public Works says residents should still call 311.
