Published: May 13, 2008 02:50 pm            

TUESDAY: The Pothole Killer is on the loose in Niagara Falls (2:49 p.m.)

Motorists along Buffalo Avenue experienced a less bumpy drive Tuesday afternoon as the city’s $110,000 answer to filling potholes was put to work. Three Pothole Killer machines leased from Pennsylvania-based Patch Management, Inc. had already filled 500 holes by noon, said Department of Public Works Director David Kinney.

“We wanted to really blitz Buffalo Avenue first because they’re so bad,” Kinney said.

Once Buffalo Avenue is done, the machines will be dispersed along other major roads in the city such as Main and Whirlpool streets. Kinney said the machines will be out for 10 hours a day, four days a week over the next month.

“Our goal is to go up and down every street in Niagara Falls,” Kinney said.

Last week, City Council members approved the $110,000 contract with Patch Management to rent three Pothole Killer trucks and operators to do a month-long blitz. The machines use a spray injection system that not only makes filling potholes faster, but more effective, Patch Management Operations Officer Scott Kleiger said during a trial run last month.

The one-man operation cleans out existing potholes before filling them up with hot patch material and crowning them with dry rocks — all in about a minute.

At the end of each day, a computerized listing will be provided of all the locations where potholes were filled. In addition, all patching materials and machine maintenance will be covered at no additional charge.

Kinney said three city workers are riding in the machines with the Patch Management operators to learn how the system works for future rentals.

Contact reporter Rick Forgioneat 282-2311, ext. 2257.

        

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