Flint city officials have started a new hotline for residents to report the city’s worst potholes. This new system is meant to make it easier for drivers to help improve road conditions.
The hotline, announced on Wednesday, Jan. 8, connects directly to the street maintenance team. Officials hope this approach will help the city quickly find and fix problem areas, especially as the weather warms up and potholes become more noticeable.
“Calls will go straight to street maintenance, where they’ll be recorded and addressed,” said Kristin Moore, a city spokesperson. “This is a new and more focused way to get residents involved in fixing this problem.”
Potholes often form during winter’s freeze-thaw cycles and can stay hidden under snow and ice. By spring, they grow bigger and cause more damage to cars. The hotline is designed to help the city prioritize repairs.
Residents can report potholes by giving specific details, such as the street name, nearby cross streets, or landmarks. Callers can also leave their names and contact information if they want a follow-up, though it’s not required.
“The more detail drivers give us, the faster we can fix the problem,” Moore added.
City officials believe the hotline will create a partnership between residents and the government. Ed Taylor, chief of staff to Mayor Sheldon Neeley, explained the importance of this teamwork.
“We understand how frustrating potholes are, and we’re working hard to improve the streets,” Taylor said. “When residents report issues, it helps us make roads safer and more reliable for everyone.”
Flint’s streets have been in poor shape for years due to wear and tear and a lack of funding. Rodney McGaha, the city’s transportation director, has said that current resources are not enough to fix all the streets properly.
“We’re doing our best to keep roads safe with the budget we have,” McGaha told the City Council. “Permanent fixes aren’t possible for most roads right now.”
Two years ago, McGaha called the city’s road repair strategy a “patchwork fix with a tight budget.” The new hotline is seen as a step toward using limited resources more effectively.
The announcement of the hotline has brought mixed reactions from residents. Some are happy about the effort to address road problems.
“It’s about time they did this,” said Sarah Wilson, a local resident. “There’s a huge pothole near my house that’s been there for months. I’ll be calling the hotline today.”
Others are not as hopeful, pointing to past experiences where road issues went unresolved.
“I’ve reported potholes before, but nothing was done,” said Marcus Jones, a delivery driver. “I’ll give the hotline a try, but I’m not expecting much.”
City officials admit there’s a lot of work to do but believe this system will help.
“It’s not a quick fix, but it’s a step in the right direction,” Moore said. “We’re committed to making things better.”
While the hotline focuses on urgent repairs, the city is also looking for more funding to improve roads long-term. Streets near schools, hospitals, and other busy areas will be a top priority.
“We can’t fix everything overnight, but with residents’ help, we can start addressing the worst problems,” Taylor said.
To report a pothole, call the hotline and give details like the street name or nearby landmarks. You can also leave your contact information if you want a follow-up.
As winter turns to spring, the pothole hotline gives Flint residents a way to make their voices heard. By working together, the city hopes to create smoother and safer streets for everyone.
So if you see a pothole, pick up the phone and report it. Together, Flint can move toward better roads.
