DPW staff working overtime to fill record pothole requests, mayor says

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee has a record number of pothole requests to fill this year, but not enough workers to get the job done quickly. 

"We're just trying to, you know, fill as many as we can based on the budget we currently have," Milwaukee Department of Public Works (DPW) Commissioner Jerrel Kruschke said. 

DPW is short by 10% of its budgeted street workers, according to Kruschke.

The department is using dollars from unfilled positions to pay the workers it does have overtime on weekdays and Saturdays.

"On top of that, DPW has nine additional city laborers that are working specifically in street maintenance," Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said.

Thousands of potholes remain unfilled, according to the city's latest request. Kruschke said that number fluctuates daily.

Kruschke said the city's paving plays a role in the record increase, but also believes there are more reports of potholes from residents than ever before. 

Potholes can be reporter to the city of Milwaukee by clicking here.