Authorizing City Council's Committee on Streets and Services to hold public hearings regarding accountability for the state of road surfaces in Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, The mission of the Philadelphia Streets Department is to provide clean, green, and safe streets in a cost-effective and efficient manner; and

WHEREAS, City streets and roadways must be resurfaced and maintained at optimal intervals to maintain a state of good repair for allowing those who live in or visit Philadelphia to travel safely and expediently. Operating and capital investments will enable the City to reach the goal of resurfacing and paving 131 miles annually by Fiscal Year 23; and

WHEREAS, The Fiscal Year 20 Capital Budget calls for $27.9 Million in City tax-supported funds for the reconstruction and resurfacing of City streets, and the construction of accessible ramps. Over $200 Million is included in the Capital Program to improve City Streets: the single largest investment in the Fiscal Year 20-25 Capital Program; and

WHEREAS, Mayor James F. Kenney promises that that investment will enable residents and visitors to notice a “dramatic improvement” in the quality of Philadelphia streets; and

WHEREAS, The Streets Department notes that it continues to successfully augment roadway resurfacing operations. The addition of a second paving crew, combined with the overall increase in funding and material resources for roadway maintenance and repair, has increased the number of miles of resurfaced roadway significantly, with a 238% increase in resurfacing productivity over the last five fiscal years. More than 57,000 potholes were repaired in Fiscal Year 18, greatly surpassing prior fiscal year performance levels, with almost 9,000 more potholes repaired than in any previous year. And, in Fiscal Year 18, 90% of potholes were repaired within three days, with a pothole response time of 3.4 days; and

WHEREAS, Despite the increase in resources and attention, the Public is upset that the City has not done a better job fixing the potholes; and

WHEREAS, A better understanding of the efficiency, effectiveness, and economy, of the Philadelphia Streets Department Pothole Program, is warranted; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby authorizes City Council’s Committee on Streets and Services to hold public hearings regarding accountability for the state of road surfaces in Philadelphia.

End