Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works launches “Potholepalooza” pilot program

Miami Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW), along with District 8 Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins and District 4 Commissioner Micky Steinberg, is launching the “Potholepalooza” pilot program. As part of the program, which runs from April 15 – June 15, 2023, DTPW is requesting assistance from residents in Districts 8 and 4 to report any potholes, so they may be addressed. 

Potholes often appear during rainy weather and, while minor repairs can be accomplished relatively quickly, major repairs or reconstruction may have to be scheduled. Some potholes may have to be added to resurfacing plans on a future date if not simple repairs.

“Potholes are not just a nuisance issue. They are a public safety issue. South Dade and District 8 have a serious pothole problem, and we are addressing it,” stated Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins.  “District 8 has a disproportionately higher number of potholes compared to the rest of the county. By launching this new pilot program, we will make a concerted and concentrated effort to ensure that the streets of District 8 are safer for our residents.”

"This is one of the many impactful ways we are improving quality of life in District 4 and across the county," added Commissioner Micky Steinberg. "I applaud Commissioner Cohen Higgins for spearheading this initiative."

Road and Bridge, a division of DTPW, currently has three pothole patcher trucks, each with a two-person crew. The teams lay an average of eight tons of asphalt per week and repair an average of 12 to14 thousand potholes annually throughout the county.

“This is a unique program that has been successful in other cities that we aim to implement countywide. District 8, with many needs and a large unincorporated area, is a great place to start,” said Eulois Cleckley, DTPW Director and CEO. “Our comprehensive plans for improving mobility throughout our community must address every aspect of transportation from public works to transit and everything in between. We remain committed to making DTPW the world’s best provider of transportation and mobility options. We commend Commissioner Cohen Higgins and her colleagues on the Commission for advocating for innovative solutions.”

The Potholepalooza pilot program only works if the potholes are reported. Please help report any potholes or other street issues by calling 311 or 305-468-5900. Residents can also complete this form or download the 311Direct app. Providing as much information as possible ensures DTPW can locate each pothole. Upon receipt of the report, the county will make every effort to make the repair within seven days. There are plans to continue this pilot program in other commission districts using a data-driven process and addressing two districts at a time every two months, except during the height of the summer’s rainy season. This demonstration project is slated to be completed within 18 months.