Springfield to begin permanent pothole repairs next week; council hears environmental concerns

Councilor Victor Davila pressed the Department of Public Works on March 17 to speed repairs and to consider environmental effects as the city responds to a season of heavy snow and widespread roadway damage. DPW Director Chris Signoli told the Sustainability and Environment Committee the city has three crews working now and expects to begin permanent hot‑mix asphalt repairs next Monday, when at least one plant reopens.

"It is not sand. It's roadway millings," Signoli said when asked about the bagged material the public has seen placed in large potholes; he framed the bags as a temporary base that holds material in deep failures until permanent asphalt is available. "The actual hot mix asphalt is gonna be available ... next week," he added.

Why it matters: committee members emphasized not only the safety and vehicle‑damage risks from potholes but also environmental concerns such as increased vehicle emissions from repeated braking and acceleration, oil and fluid runoff into storm drains, and pavement degradation that can create fine particles. Davila…