THE SITE: Washington Street, Hillcrest |
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THE PROBLEM: When steadily flowing water meets asphalt, there can be trouble. When the source of the water can't be identified, the trouble gets a lot bigger.
Small potholes filled with water repeatedly crop up along eastbound Washington Street in the left-turn lane to a state Route 163 entrance ramp. Benjamin Miller, who takes the lane daily to get from his home in Hillcrest to his job in Mira Mesa, said he has seen the problem for years.
As the erosion worsens, a city crew patches the holes with asphalt, Miller said. Weeks later, however, the water resurfaces and the potholes start to form anew. Last week, there were two holes, causing a bad dip for the right-hand tires on many vehicles after they enter the turn lane.
There's no apparent irrigation system or runoff along the street, and Miller reports the water is there even in exceptionally dry weather.
The last time Miller called the Street Division to report the problem, he was referred to the city Water Department, which would be responsible for any underground leak from a city-owned pipe.
Miller followed through, but the Water Department said there was nothing in the city's system that could account for the persistent presence of water.
STATUS: Just Fix It arranged for Miller to speak directly with a Water Department employee, who made an on-site inspection Monday. But a mystery persists.
Arien Collins, supervising public information officer for the Water Department, said the city “can't figure out where the water is coming from,” but that it doesn't look like it's coming from the city system.
Collins said yesterday that the department now is double-checking older maps and records to make “absolutely sure” the city has nothing underneath Washington Street. We'll pass along their findings.
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE: It's not clear yet, but if the Water Department can't solve the problem, Hasan Yousef, deputy director of the Street Division, said his crews will continue to make repairs as warranted.
NEED A PROBLEM SOLVED: Is there a problem that government hasn't taken care of despite your complaints? Whether it's a missing bus bench or a misspelled street sign, Just Fix It might be able to help.
Complaint forms are at justfixit.uniontrib.com, or call (800) 820-8714.
