How Atlanta’s reinvigorated Pothole Posse tackles street problems
By Doug Turnbull
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ATLANTA (WXIA) — Few things unite Atlantans quite like the frustration of hitting a pothole — but the city says it’s making major progress. Under Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta’s Department of Transportation has expanded its “Pothole Posse,” and crews are now filling dozens of potholes every day they say.
Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin founded the Pothole Posse to much aplomb in 2002 and Mayor Dickens brought it back to prominence at the beginning of his administration 20 years later.
This initiative now falls under Atlanta DOT, which deploys five two‑man repair teams across the city, each working through a constantly growing list of potholes and cracks reported through Atlanta’s 311 system. On a typical dry day with temperatures above 34 degrees, each truck repairs at least 30 potholes, according to area coordination team member Romyko Grant.
“We do at least 30 per day, per truck. So yes, we are out doing potholes every day,” Grant said.
Depending on the severity and size of the holes, the city can fill up to 150 in a single day.
During a visit with one of the crews on Vine Street, 11Alive watched the entire repair process unfold in just minutes. Workers cleared debris from the hole, applied an adhesive liquid, shoveled in hot asphalt, and raked and tamped it level. Cars were able to drive over the patch almost immediately.
Grant says the Dickens administration has significantly boosted resources dedicated to street repairs.
“He made more headway towards focusing on the potholes. He allocated more resources towards the potholes,” Grant said.
Since 2022, the city says crews have filled 45,000 potholes, including about 10,000 in the last year alone.
Grant manages the flow of repair requests across four city sectors, prioritizing issues submitted through ATL 311. The ranking system considers where the reports come from and who they impact most.
“It configures them into a priority of schools, neighborhoods of concern, traffic areas, visibilities, and things of that nature,” he said.
Crews also weigh how potholes affect people walking or biking — especially in neighborhoods with greater need.
Atlanta residents can report potholes or any other non-emergency city infrastructure issues by calling 311 or submitting a request at ATL311.com.
And as the Pothole Posse works the streets, crews ask drivers to slow down and stay alert to keep both themselves and the work crews safe.
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