INDIANAPOLIS — Potholes continue to be a problem in central Indiana. In some cases, they cause dangerous conditions for drivers on main roads.
But for some in Indianapolis, who rely on alleys to pull out of their garage or driveway, they're facing potholes that look like craters and they're not getting fixed.
There are more than 5,600 open pothole requests in the city of Indianapolis. Almost 37 percent of them are in alleys around the city, and some have been there for years.
Alleys are all over Indianapolis, and it's hard to see just how deep the potholes are on camera. But take a wood plank and move it back-and-forth, and you can see how bad they really are and why some people say their cars are bottoming out.
Take a drive down some of the alleys in the Christian Park neighborhood on the city's east side, and you can see how bad they really are. Tatresa Montgomery said many rank a 9 or 10 on a scale of 1-to-10, with 10 being the worst.
"You see, I drive a truck, so it's very bumpy. Very bumpy," Montgomery said. "It's a bumpy truck, but it's even worse with the alleys."
Many families are forced to use the alleys to access their garages or parking pads.
"My granddaughter drives a little car, like a little Ford," Montgomery said. "She's very scared of popping her tires. She don't hit the alleys at all."
Montgomery said she watches over her neighborhood to try to make it a better place.
"My neighbors live there. She's 86. She's 91. I take care of them. I watch out for everything for them, and Ms. L across the street. I keep an eye on all these houses. I sit by the window 24/7," Montgomery said.
But when she calls the city about the potholes in the city, nothing gets done.
"The city doesn't care. I've complained, complained and complained," she said. "I just gave up. I just watch out for my neighbors. It's all I can do."
In fact, it's a problem that doesn't only affect the Christian Park neighborhood given that so many pothole requests are in alleys.
"No one cares, to tell you the truth," Montgomery said.
So we went to the city, which gave us a statement.
"DPW pothole patching crews service requests on major thoroughfares and residential streets first as they carry a higher volume of traffic," the statement said. "Alleys are addressed after those requests are completed."
DPW said anyone who has issues with potholes in alleys should call the Mayor's Action Center at 317-327-4MAC.
