Q&A
Concerns about systemic issues causing repeated road collapses
0:31:32
ยท
131 sec
Council Member Brooks-Powers expresses concerns about systemic issues causing repeated road collapses, citing examples from her district. First Deputy Commissioner Forgione explains that recurring issues at the same spot typically indicate underground problems rather than asphalt quality issues.
- Repeated collapses often indicate underground issues like degraded materials or leaks
- DOT works with partners like DEP, Con Ed, and National Grid to troubleshoot these issues
- The quality of asphalt is not typically the cause of recurring collapses
Selvena Brooks-Powers
0:31:32
To your point in terms of wasting resources going over and over, because I've seen this a number of times, like, even in moments when there is a systemic issue, instead of going ahead and addressing that, it's still paved over.
0:31:46
So I think to Beach 19th Street in Far Rockaway, which we've been in communication with DOT on, we know that it's something happening underground that continues to, make the the roadway itself collapse.
0:32:00
And every time my constituents call 301, DOT comes out really quickly to, you know, put some, you know, to come and repair it.
0:32:12
And then it happens again.
0:32:15
And so one, we're now wasting manpower, then in terms of resources.
0:32:21
So I've always questioned the type of, materials being used, especially on certain roads where you know it's gonna be, like, a lot of utility vehicles or trucks that go on that roadway.
0:32:34
So when I travel to other states, I'm always looking at, like, how their roads look, how they're so smooth and not broken down as much as ours.
0:32:42
And so I question if we're using the appropriate type of material for our roadways to to ensure that the wear and tear is not as frequent as we're seeing it.
Margaret Forgione
0:32:56
Right.
0:32:56
So what I would say is if you're if you or your constituents are seeing the exact same spot Yeah.
0:33:02
Literally over and over, something is happening underneath.
0:33:05
It's not the quality of the asphalt.
0:33:07
It's below the surface.
0:33:09
So many, many years ago when that street was being, built, It's possible something was put in there that degraded, like, wood, and now it's sinking.
0:33:19
That's a possibility.
0:33:20
There could be a leak underground, and it keeps washing away and washing away, and then the road, keeps collapsing or or or sinking.
0:33:29
It could be one of those things that we have to troubleshoot.
0:33:31
Mhmm.
0:33:31
Sometimes it's not that easy to know what's going on underneath, but we do get out our partners like DEP.
0:33:37
We will bring in Con Ed or National Grid or whoever we think may be involved to troubleshoot it.
Selvena Brooks-Powers
0:33:42
But how quickly does that happen.