Crews Fan Out Across LA To Repair Damaged Streets

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Dozens of pothole repair crews are fanning out across Los Angeles this weekend to fix streets damaged in recent storms.

"We hope to make between 10,000 to 15,000 small asphalt repairs, including potholes, pop-outs and skin patching," William Roberston, director of the Bureau of Street Services, said.

Since last week, the city has received about 3,000 calls from residents reporting potholes and other rain-related road damage, and as many as 50 road repair crews will be deployed to fix as many of them as possible, focusing on streets south of Mulholland Drive Saturday and in the San Fernando Valley Sunday.

"We want the crews to get the job done in order to ensure a reasonably safe and comfortable commute for L.A. motorists," Robertson said.

City Council President Eric Garcetti urged the public to call the city's non-emergency 311 hotline to report potholes in their area.

"The more potholes we know about, the more we can fill," he said. "City crews are on the lookout for potholes, but don't assume they will drive the same route you do. Call 311 so our crews know exactly where fixes need to be made."

The city's budget for pothole repair was scaled back this year because of lack of funds.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)