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POTHOLES
#1 What is a pothole? A pothole is an area of defective street generally caused by deterioration of the surface due to age. It is
usually a bowl-shaped opening.
#2 Why do potholes occur in the road surface? Potholes occur when cracks form in the road surfaces from a combination of rain, weather changes, age of
surface, and heavy traffic.
#3 How long does it take for a pothole to be repaired? Potholes located on major roadways are given primary attention. During the
pothole season, from February to May, potholes can be repaired within 4 days of notification. During the other nine months, construction season, potholes are generally repaired within 6.9 days.
#5 Who is responsible for maintaining State highways? PennDOT is responsible for maintaining State highways. There are 390 miles
of streets within the city limits that are maintained by Penn Dot.
#6 How will you be able to identify State maintained streets? State highways are all those routes that are numbered:
such as U.S. Rt. 1, 611, 13, etc., or State Routes (SR), or Interstate Routes I-76, I-676, and I-95. some may be identified by "State Highway" signs.
Click here for more information on Potholes
DITCHES
#1 What is a ditch? A ditch is usually a rectangular excavation in the roadway that is made by utilities and plumbers to reach
underground lines.
#2 Who is responsible for repairing a ditch? A contractor or utility company is responsible for filing a ditch and paving it with
a temporary patch. Following notification that temporary patch work has been completed, the Highway Division will schedule and complete the permanent repair of the roadway.
#3 What happens if a ditch is not backfilled properly? The ditch will wash out or sink in, leaving a dip or depression in the
road, if it is not backfilled properly. Proper backfilling is done by adding 6" to 8" of dirt or a fine stone mix and tamping before adding additional material. The process is repeated until
the hole is filled properly.
CAVE-INS/SINKHOLES
#1 What are cave-ins/sink holes? Cave-ins/sink holes are holes below the concrete base of the roadway. This usually occurs when
the dirt below the concrete base has washed away, causing the upper surfaces to fall through.
#2 Who is responsible for repairing a cave-in/sink hole? The Highway Division of the Streets Department will make repairs to a
cave-in/sink hole. If a utility company is determined to be responsible for the condition, they will be billed for the repair work.
BROKEN CURBS & FOOTWAYS
#1 Who is responsible for maintaining and repairing broken curbs and footways/sidewalks or pavements? Property owners are
responsible for maintaining curbs and footways. Broken and damaged curbs and footways should be repaired by property owners to maintain a safe and passable sidewalk.
#2 What happens if a property owner's curb, footway, sidewalk or pavement is damaged by a contractor or city forces during
street resurfacing or paving? If a property owner's curb, footway, sidewalk or pavement is damaged by a contractor, the contractor is responsible for repairing the damage. If the damage is
done by city forces, then city forces will repair the damage.
BLOCK PARTIES
Click here for Block Party Frequently Asked Questions
ICE & SNOW COMPLAINTS
#1 Who is responsible for removing snow from sidewalks and curbs after the end of a snowstorm? Sidewalk and curb maintenance, by
city ordinance, is the responsibility of the property owner. The property owner, agent or tenant, as the owner may determine, is responsible for removing snow from the sidewalk within 6 hours after the
snow has ceased to fall.
#2 Does the whole sidewalk have to be cleared after a snowstorm? No. The regulations require that there should be a path cleared
of not less than 30 inches in width, on the sidewalk, abutting the property. As a courtesy to your neighbors and other pedestrians, provide as wide a path as possible, and cut out handicap ramps and
inlets.
#4. What should you do to have your street plowed or salted following a snow or ice storm?
You should call the Streets Department's Customer Affairs Unit at 215-686-5560, or dial (star) *FIX on your cellular phone (a free cellular call) to request that your street be plowed or salted
following a snow or ice storm. The representative will route your request to the appropriate Highway district for service.
OIL SPILL ON THE STREET
#1. What should you do if you encounter an oil spill on the street? You should call the Streets Department's Customer Affairs Unit at 215-686-5560 or dial (star) *
FIX on your cellular phone (a free cellular call) to report an oil spill. The representative will route your request to your respective Highway district for service. After hours, oil spill
complaints should be reported to 215-686-1776, the main City Hall switchboard.
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