Posted on 07/24/24
| News Source: WBAL
Baltimore, MD - July 24, 2024 - An intensified effort is underway to repair some of Baltimore’s nearly 300-year-old infrastructure.
Mayor Brandon Scott holds seasonal sprints to complete infrastructure work, and in this cycle, some 18,000 miles of roadway have been cleared of litter as just part of the progress made so far.
“It’s an improvement,” said James Mundell, a resident who manages senior housing facilities on Federal Street.
Mundell watched Monday as the mayor personally filled potholes plaguing the road.
“It’s a big deal because you do a lot of damage to your vehicle and somebody can walk across the street and trip,” Mundell told 11 News.
Youth workers also joined in to fill a couple dozen holes as part of the mayor’s 90-day service sprint, a seasonal effort to focuses on improving services across the city.
“We’re going to be pushing them and pushing the community to let them know about the issues so that we can get them handled in a quick and efficient manner,” Scott told 11 News.
Filling potholes is just part of the plan; Another major aspect is covering up graffiti across the city. So far, more than 3,000 graffiti markings have been removed, more than 8,000 vacant properties and lots have been mowed and more than 22,000 potholes have been filled.
“We know we need to make sure we have roads that are drivable and passable, and so filling potholes is going to always be important. We’re also, during this sprint, focusing on abating vacant lots, so when you see those overgrown lots, we’re really focusing in on those vacant lots as well,” Baltimore Chief Administrative Officer Faith Leach told 11 News.
The goal is to deliver on services people need the most in a city with ever-aging infrastructure.
“To come out myself and do this work means a lot to me, and it shows to everyone that lives in the city, if I’m doing the work in my neighborhood and your neighborhood, then we all have to be doing the work,” Scott told 11 News.
Residents are encouraged to call 311 when they see an issue in their neighborhood.