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SERVICES | STREET MAINTENANCE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The following is a list of frequently asked questions
and their answers. Feel free to contact us if you have further questions.
How does the City determine which
streets to schedule for preventive maintenance work?
A computerized pavement management system is used to store the condition
data of all road. In addition, the system has a computer model which predicts
the proper time to perform preventive maintenance work. Maintenance personnel
survey the condition of major streets every three years and local streets
every five years to determine the condition of the pavement. Based on
the amount of funding available each year, Transportation recommends
the most cost effective pavement maintenance program.
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How do I get a pothole repaired?
You may call 277-4373 to report a pot-hole. Dispatchers will take the
information and pass it on to the appropriate staff for scheduling of
repair work. We try to repair potholes within 24 hours.
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If the street is raised (or low)
and causes water to pond, will the City fix it?
If the problem is next to the curb and gutter, the property owner must
first repair the curb and gutter, the n the City will repair the pavement.
Curb and gutter repair is the responsibility of the abutting property
owner. If the problem is away from the gutter, in the area where vehicles
travel, the City will fix the problem. For information on the repair of
curb and gutter, call our Sidewalk Inspection Section at 277-2572.
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What causes all those bumps and
ruts at intersections and bus stops?
Bumps and ruts at intersections are caused by vehicle tires shoving the
asphalt as they turn, stop or accelerate, especially during hot weather
when the asphalt is soft. Buses are very heavy vehicles which place great
stress on the pavement as they brake and accelerate. The County Transit
Agency, as funds have become available, has been replacing the pavement
at bus stops with heavy duty concrete to correct this problem. Intersection
failures are fixed by the City when a road is resurfaced.
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Why do I have to wait 8 to 10 years
to have my street fixed?
The City routinely repairs pavement damage, such as potholes. All other
defects are repaired when the street is scheduled for preventive maintenance.
Staff and funding limitations prevent us from correcting all minor pavement
defects as they appear.
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There are a lot of depressions and
rough spots where the street has been dug up. Why doesn't the City fix
them?
The street right-of-way is also used for sewers, storm drain pipes and
by private utilities like PG&E, PacBell and water distributors for
their underground pipelines. As these private companies modify and repair
their underground pipes, they obtain a utility cut permit from the Department
of Public Works to excavate on the roadway. Public Works inspects utility
cuts to make sure that excavations are properly replaced by the private
companies.
If you have a concern regarding ongoing excavations
in the street, you can call the Department of Public Works at 277-4686
for assistance.
If you are concerned about existing pavement damage, please call 277-4569
and our maintenance staff will investigate to determine who is responsible
for repairing the damage.
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How does the pavement maintenance
program contribute to the environment?
A well-maintained pavement system reduces and postpones the need for reconstruction.
Roadway reconstruction uses large amounts of non-renewable resources,
oil and rock, as well as creates noise, dust and traffic disruptions.
The City of San Jose's Pavement Maintenance Program utilizes recycled
resources. Rubber from old tires and recycled asphalt are used to make
new asphalt for repairs and resurfacing.
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