Chicago’s new potholes are fascinatingly deep and dangerous. More like craters than potholes, they have suddenly appeared all over the city, like the pock marks of a virulent disease, democratically afflicting every neighborhood, every thoroughfare, leaving no one immune.
Driving on streets with such craters is like being a pawn in a dangerous game, a reactive pinball careening through a pinball machine. The stakes are high if you don’t bounce or dodge. Some of the holes are real axle-breakers.
If you have a picture of a great pothole near you, I would love to see it. Chicagoans can report a dangerous pothole by calling 311. Based on this city website, it looks like some 250,000 have been called in. Wanting to appear responsive and in control, the city has established a “pothole tracker,” a map showing all potholes repaired in the past seven days. Victory over potholes? So far this one is too close to call.
Shawn Hazen says
It’s such a crazy phenomenon! It was safer when they were still filled with snow and ice. But once the thaw(s) happened this year, it was like driving around Mars. Seems so much worse this year than normal…
Celia says
Hi Shawn, You’re perfectly right–there was a silver lining to all that ice and snow! I’ve never seen such terrible potholes in all my years. . . . and the city isn’t fixing the side streets yet, where the potholes are worst. . . .
Harley says
I’ve lived in Chicago all my days and I have never, ever seen the streets in such horrid condition. You are totally correct that it seems like every side street, main street are affected. No neighborhood is spared. I have seen severe, copious, and most deep pot-holes and and just feel lucky that I have not broken an axle.
Celia says
Well put! Driving around Chicago is truly harrowing these days.