Reporting a problem with a roadway and getting results: The story of one pothole and FDOT

Back in April, BikeWalkLee penned two blog posts about how to report a bike/ped facilities or operations problem and get results. In those blogs we provided information about who to contact to report such a problem and urged you to report problems you see while you're out walking or biking. We suggested that you to track the resolution of the problem, thank the agency staff who addressed the problem and share your stories with the BWL network, including before and after photos, so that we could demonstrate that reporting problems does get action. Today's blog is the story of one success story from the Tice neighborhood.

By Diane Odeh and Stephan Pierce

BikeWalkLee and the Rauschenberg Grant Walking Audit Team would like to thank James Perry, Highway Maintenance Supervisor and the rest of the Florida Department of Transportation for patching a pothole on Marsh Avenue that was very dangerous.

The pothole in Tice (photos: Stephan Pierce)

During a walking audit team meeting, members discussed the dangerous nature of this pothole. The pothole was located on a heavily traveled connector street in one of the higher density areas in Lee County. It is close to Palm Beach Boulevard with many retail, offices, and social services. This street and area in general is heavily traveled by people in wheelchairs, walkers, and bicyclists and is in very close proximity to public transit. It connects the Goodwill Retail  store and JobLink center with Marsh Avenue.

The pothole was only a few feet away from a bus stop. The reality of how dangerous this pothole is to the community can be seen through the following picture of a resident whose mobility scooter often got stuck in it, causing him to fall off of it:













This issue wasn’t just problematic for pedestrians—it is so large that vehicle tires have the potential to become damaged in the pothole as well:















Recognizing a need to remedy the situation, team members were diligent in reporting the issue to the proper authorities. Although it is not in their jurisdiction, James Perry and his crew went above and beyond their call of duty in the spirit of providing a temporary solution to a very dangerous issue.

We will continue to update you as a more permanent solution is made. This case highlights the importance of persistence when reporting transportation issues.

So, next time you're out there and see a safety hazard, don't just complain... do something... and share your story with us (info@bikewalklee.org).

Click here for a one-pager with all who/what/when/how to report (keep this handy)
BWL blog 4/16/16: http://bikewalklee.blogspot.com/2016/04/how-to-report-bikeped-facilities-or.html
BWL blog 4/28/16: BikeWalkLee'sColumn in News-Press "Go Coastal" section: 4/28/16