Portland’s Pothole Problem Explained in Two Sentences

February 22, 2013

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Pothole NW Hermosa deep

It doesn’t take a “brain scientist” as President Obama once put it, to figure out that Portland doesn’t take care of its roads.

It’s obvious that drivers–the main users of the roads–are not the priority. The demonization of the automobile is in full effect here. From car free zones, roads subsumed by bike paths and “bioswales,” green boxes to, as Sam Adams once put it,  “to put bikes in front of cars,” to the jackpot parking meters with new zones and extended  hours, the war on the car is evident. roads.

Fifteen minutes in NW Portland yesterday yielded most of these photos. Other photos are being held back for my Portland’s Sexiest Pothole Calendar.

But with the recent audit of the pothole problem and a new Mayor, we’ve now learned why the roads are in such disrepair. Two sentences from a KOINLocal6 report called to my attention by a friend yesterday say it all. 

pothole

Carla Castano: “Mayor Hales said former Mayor Sam Adams made some choices that are making his job now harder. Like selling off all the trucks that put down asphalt sealant on the roadway.”

Mayor Charlie Hales: “That just made me want to pound my head against the door when I heard that.”

Hear it for yourself here.

 

 

Pothole NW Johnson deep

pothole NW Johnson