As in most areas of New York City, Lower Manhattan's streets have undergone their fair share of spot repair work -- evidenced by the potholes that sometimes make a street resemble a patchwork quilt. The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) and Department of Design and Construction (DDC) are now executing an "engineered resurfacing" program to smooth out several dozen pothole-ridden streets south of Canal.
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*The following information was last updated on September 12, 2008.
Reconstruction of Beaver Street from Broad to William Streets, including new sidewalks and curbs, began in October 2007 and continues through November 10, 2008. One traffic lane will be maintained on Beaver. It is being coordinated with work at 15 William Street.
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Since the program began in summer 2004, the DOT has resurfaced scores of lane miles of downtown streets and is planning to complete the remaining ones by fall 2008.
Generally, DOT's contractors require two days to resurface one city block's roadway: one day to mill the top layer of asphalt and inspect its concrete base for damage, and one day to replace it. However, if DOT finds that the concrete base or utilities are in need of repair or replacement, the project schedule then depends on the extent of required work.
Potholes are born from holes cut into the original asphalt of a street, usually to repair or inspect underground utilities. The holes are filled in, and a seam is formed. While city DOT workers do their best to make those seams as airtight as possible, heavy traffic and inclement weather can loosen and crack them. That’s when water seeps in -- and once that water freezes and thaws, the concrete base under the asphalt begins to flake and chip, and a pothole sinks in.
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