Brick Using New Approaches to Identify, Repair Potholes

Brick Mayor John Ducey is preparing an all-out push to get the township's potholes repaired – and he's using every means necessary, including social media, to get it done.

The "aggressive" program, he said, will involve a phone hotline and dedicated e-mail address set up for residents to report potholes, as well as a dedicated Twitter hashtag. The township is also using a new material that could produce better fixes and overall cost savings for motorists and taxpayers.

"With the warmer weather hopefully right around the corner, we are planning an aggressive program to fix potholes in our neighborhoods," said Ducey.

Ducey is asking residents to provide the township with the location of potholes by calling a new Pothole Hotline at 732-451-4060, option 1 or to email them to potholes@twp.brick.nj.us. Residents can also tweet pothole locations to @TownshipofBrick using the hashtag #BrickPothole.

Residents are asked to be as specific as possible about the location of the pothole, Ducey said

Brick Township is responsible for 1,700 streets in town. Other roads are maintained by Ocean County or the state. But with the township on the hook for filling the vast majority of the local potholes, the outreach program was the way to go , the mayor said.

"Our best resources to ensure a focused and efficient pothole repair program are the eyes of our residents," said Ducey.

The township is currently repairing approximately 20 potholes a day utilizing a cold mix asphalt repair material being tested this season.

Councilman Jim Fozman said new material, manufactured by Unique Pavement Materials, is cheaper because it is a more permanent fix than the traditional "cold patch" used in the past. When cold patch is used, crews normally have to return once plants produce traditional asphalt that can be used for a final repair.

"This could lead to savings in the long run as we are not duplicating efforts by repairing the same pothole two or more times," said Fozman.