The SCDOT received 238 pothole patching requests from residents in Florence County since launching its “Pothole Blitz” program.
With the program, people are able to submit pothole requests over the phone or online. Engineers from SCDOT review the requests and send out maintenance crews to temporarily patch the holes. The time it takes them to come out depends on the severity of the problem.
“During the Blitz, we’ve taken some additional resources and allocated them to patching as well as some additional trucks and additional employees. We’ve had such a wet winter. We’ve sort of seen a lot more potholes than we typically see,” said the District Maintenance Engineer for SCDOT in Florence County, Ray George.
Out of the 238 Florence County requests, 173 of those have been filled according to George. Some of the calls SCDOT received were concerning Callie Young Rd. in Effingham, West Camp Branch Rd. in Scranon and Alligator Rd. in Florence.
But, the list goes on.
The requests show the frustration of Florence County residents. Some say the potholes are causing damage to their vehicles while others fear the dangers school buses face.
George said the program has helped SCDOT cover more areas that they would not have known about before.
“We’ve been able to cover a lot more of our roads at a quicker time. Just to make a quicker turn around in our patching, and we’re able to cover more areas because we have more employees,” he said.
