'More work to be done’: Milwaukee alderman seeks more help for record-setting pothole requests
CBS 58 MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Eight months into 2026, the City of Milwaukee has received more than 23,000 pothole requests.
“You have to get your tires replaced, probably every month, and it’s just horrible," Milwaukee resident Danielle Carter said. “If you have a baby asleep in the car, they're gonna wake up.”
The previous record for requests in a full year was around 16,800.
“Frankly, our crews have been working overtime all spring, all summer, some voluntary, some mandated overtime,” Milwaukee Alderman Peter Burgelis said.
Crews have filled more than 15,000 potholes across the city this year, also a record.
Burgelis plans to present a resolution later this week that would provide more resources to help fill potholes.
“Anyone who drives in the city recognizes there’s still a lot more work to be done,” Burgelis said.
The resolution calls on the Department of Public Works (DPW) to identify streets and alleys appropriate for contracted repairs and move towards bidding additional work.
The goal is to scope additional work and get it completely bid without paying a premium.
“DPW’s salary budget right now is about 1.9 million over budget,” Burgelis said. “Even spending an extra $1.9 million addressing all the needs across the City of Milwaukee, we have an opportunity here, a short window, to do a little bit more to get a little further ahead.”
