Not immediately clear whether hole Schwarzenegger filled in was scheduled for repair
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s recent efforts to fix what he thought was a pothole in Brentwood were met with mixed reactions.
The actor and former California governor posted a video on social media showing him and his team patching up what he believed to be a “giant pothole” that had been causing issues for drivers and bicyclists in the area for weeks. However, it was later revealed by the Los Angeles Department of Public Works that the hole was actually a service trench being used by SoCal Gas for active, permitted work, as reported by NBC. It was not clear whether the hole Schwarzenegger filled in was scheduled for repair or not.
Schwarzenegger, who has been known for his philanthropic efforts and community involvement, tweeted about the incident, saying, “Today, after the whole neighborhood has been upset about this giant pothole that’s been screwing up cars and bicycles for weeks, I went out with my team and fixed it. I always say, let’s not complain, let’s do something about it. Here you go.”
Today, after the whole neighborhood has been upset about this giant pothole that’s been screwing up cars and bicycles for weeks, I went out with my team and fixed it. I always say, let’s not complain, let’s do something about it. Here you go. pic.twitter.com/aslhkUShvT
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) April 11, 2023
However, the Los Angeles Department of Public Works confirmed that the location was not a pothole, but a service trench related to ongoing work being performed by SoCal Gas, with an expected completion date of the end of May. SoCal Gas is expected to repair the area once their work is completed, as per similar projects impacting city streets.
Daniel Ketchell, a spokesperson for Schwarzenegger, stated that Brentwood residents had made repeated requests for road repairs since winter storms hit the area in February and March. Keith Mozee, executive director and general manager of the Bureau of Street Services, acknowledged that the city has been inundated with pothole repair requests, with over 19,000 requests since December 30, and that crews are being diverted from other daily jobs to address the demand. Mozee stated that repairing potholes is a daily task for the city, but acknowledged that more needs to be done for those impacted by potholes.
The city of Los Angeles has a system in place for residents to report potholes and has committed to repairing them within three days of notification, as mandated by state law. Residents can file a claim and provide documentation such as repair bills and pictures to support their request. The city’s response time is typically four to six weeks.
Potholes are a common issue in Los Angeles and are typically formed when water seeps into cracks in asphalt, causing erosion and eventually creating holes when the asphalt sinks and cracks under the weight of passing cars. Despite efforts to address the problem, potholes remain a persistent challenge for the city’s infrastructure maintenance.
