(Photo: Heather Andrews)
Daniel Johnson’s one-ride crusade against potholes has led to safer, smoother streets in Southeast Portland.
Last month, Johnson led a ride to chalk up potholes on his daily commute. Heather Andrews joined him, and it’s a good thing she did.
Andrews’ photos landed in my story about the ride and they were also noticed by Oregonian reporter Michael Bales, who then covered the story in the inPortland section of the Oregonian the following week.
According to Johnson, the day after the story ran in the paper, PDOT crews had filled many of the potholes. In an excited email, Johnson wrote, “So this morning I’m steering around one of the potholes I have to ride around every day, and well, where is it?”
Johnson said he couldn’t even count all the spots they fixed on SE Woodward between 51st and 52nd.
Portland’s bike coordinator Roger Geller says PDOT’s maintenance crews are top-notch and they are usually very quick to respond when people point out the location of potholes and other hazards.
If you’ve got a problematic pothole on your daily commute, don’t be shy. Call PDOT’s pothole hotline at 823-BUMP or fill out the online maintenance request form (which can be used for all sorts of issues).