Wairarapa Times-Age Query - Potholes

The Times-Age asked a series of questions about potholes in the Masterton district:

Are you able to please get me some stats for how many potholes found this year so far?

In the past 12 months there has been 623 potholes found.

How many have been repaired?

617

How many were reported by the public?

39

Do you take note of how long it takes between reporting a pothole and having it repaired?

Our contractor aims to have reported potholes on high-volume roads filled or fully-repaired within 2 days. On low-volume roads, this target is within one month.

Also do you take note of any reoccurring stretches of road that has potholes reported?

Yes. All data we receive gets modelled into deterioration and maintenance forecasts for our roading network, which informs our forward work programme.

Is Higgins still the contractor that repairs potholes in Masterton?

Yes.

Are they able to do repairs proactively or must they get approval from MDC each time they find another pothole?

Potholes can be repaired as they are found.

If that number of 617 is over 12 months then there would be an overlap with stats from last year, is it possible to get a breakdown per month?

The figure for 2022 is 504, total to date in 2023 is 545 (these are for both sealed and unsealed roads).

It’s my understanding that potholes on SH2 are the responsibility of Waka Kotahi, is this correct?

Yes.

Can you tell me which streets have the most potholes? Has the construction on SH2 had any impact on potholes in streets in that area?

The occurrence of potholes is linked to traffic volumes. There has been no diversion to Masterton district roads as a result of work on SH2. Rural roads are more susceptible with higher volumes of heavy traffic. Ingress of water is an issue – see explanatory video here: Roadworks 101 - how potholes develop - YouTube

Has MDC received any contact from the public about the potholes causing damage to cars?

The Council receives occasional reports, but these are matters that should be taken up with car-owners’ insurers.

Can you tell me what the budget is for roading repairs and maintenance each year? And how much, on average, does it cost to actually repair a pothole?

The cost to repair a pothole depends on the size. The Council pays a contracted crew for work done each month – they are involved in a range of work including repairs to signs etc, not just potholes. The budget for roading maintenance in 2022-23 was $800,000 for sealed roads and $530,000 for unsealed roads.