Local mayor pledges to fix 100% of the city's potholes and people in other cities are jealous

Are you jealous you don’t live in Port Coquitlam? That’s the message from some folks online after the mayor of that city vowed to fix all the potholes by the weekend.

The City is calling it a “pothole blitz.”

According to the release from the City, crews searched “100% of the City” for potholes during three inspection sessions and found 158 potholes.

By the end of the day Friday, Mayor Brad West says the four staff members will have taken full advantage of the expected dry weather and repaired the remaining potholes. 

Port Coquitlam Pot Hole Blitz Update:

On Day 1, crews repaired 83 potholes with two tonnes of asphalt used. That puts us as 52% complete and today city workers will continue their work to bring us to 100% of potholes completed.

Thanks to our crews! Getting the job done!

— Brad West (@BradWestPoCo) April 28, 2023

“We continue to make investments in our roads and frontline services like pothole repairs. It’s about getting the basics right and delivering the core city services that matter to our community and what residents and businesses pay property taxes for,” Mayor Brad West said. “City crews will work efficiently to improve our roadways and make them safer for people driving and cycling.”

Since West shared the news on Twitter Tuesday, residents from around Metro Vancouver say they wish their city would follow Port Coquitlam’s lead and repair the potholes on their roads. 

Could we ask you send your staff’s instructional manual on how to do this blitz to @KenSimCity and @CityofVancouver ?

— I Crook (@ICrook_yvr) April 25, 2023

I had no idea Poco had 158, I come across so few. Makes me wonder how many Surrey and Vancouver have because in both those cities Im hitting one every 5 minutes. Going to guess it numbers in the thousands.

— Brian (@BCBoisvert) April 25, 2023

I wish Burnaby would do the same for Boundry road.

— Nosaj Newo (@jasonowen7937) April 25, 2023

Every city in the lower mainland should follow suit!

— JM (@JimManheur1986) April 25, 2023

Paging @NewWestminister

— Moe money (@MoeNear7) April 25, 2023

I keep saying it, Mayor West: wish you were our mayor in Vancouver!!! We’ve potholes everywhere. I’m wondering if we shouldn’t get a partial municipal tax credit as I’m sure it’s taking its toll on tires! @KenSimCity @CityofVancouver

— Alida M (@ziepat) April 25, 2023

In an email statement to Daily Hive, the City of Vancouver’s Manager of Street Operations, Amy Sidwell, said “keeping our roads in a state of good repair is a priority.”

She added that City crews routinely repair potholes. This year alone, crews have repaired approximately 20,300 potholes.

The City manages about 1,400 kilometers of roads and Sidwell said it depends on the public to report potholes or street areas in need of repair by calling 3-1-1 via the City’s Van311 app.

“On average, City crews will attend to a pothole within 4-5 days of receiving a report. Our response is dependent on current weather conditions, the number of reports received, and the location complexity, among other factors,” she said.

The City of Port Coquitlam continues to urge residents to report potholes as well. They can do so online at portcoquitlam.ca/report, using the PoCo Sort and Report app, or by calling 604-927-3111.

Drivers and cyclists in Port Coquitlam are being warned that they can expect minor delays while crews work and are being asked to be safe by respecting work zones and giving crews space.

Once crews are notified, they can typically make the repair within four days, the City said. 

So far this year, the City says its repaired 409 potholes. Last year it repaired more than 1,400 potholes.