The city has received approximately 24,000 pothole service requests during the first eight months of the year. To put that into perspective, Milwaukee averages about 10,500 requests annually. The current numbers are a clear sign that years of not dealing with deteriorating infrastructure is catching up with the city.
In response, District 11 Alderman Peter Burgelis is proposing that Milwaukee bring in outside contractors to help the Department of Public Works (DPW) tackle the overwhelming backlog of alley repairs.
His proposal would direct more than $1 million in city funding toward additional road repairs and maintenance efforts. Not everyone supports the idea.
Third District Alderman Alex Brower raised concerns about outsourcing city work to private contractors and warned against creating long-term dependence on outside companies. While those concerns are understandable, residents dealing with damaged vehicles, dangerous road conditions, and mounting repair bills are looking for immediate solutions.
Anyone who drives in Milwaukee recognizes that the roads this year are in really rough shape.
Ald. Peter Burgelis
DPW has been working overtime and weekends to address the growing problem. The city has even discussed partnering with Milwaukee County crews and authorizing overtime work to help repair roads faster.
Drivers frequently report that potholes are patched only to reopen days or weeks later. In some cases, the temporary repairs deteriorate so quickly that they create even larger holes and rougher road conditions. The reality is that many Milwaukee streets need full reconstruction, not another layer of asphalt.
City officials have acknowledged that potholes are only one symptom of a much larger infrastructure problem. Milwaukee estimates it would need approximately $752 million to bring all poor-condition streets up to acceptable standards.
Milwaukee City Engineer Kevin Muhs defended the proposal to use contractors, emphasizing that it would be a temporary measure designed to supplement existing crews rather than replace them.
“The reason to think about contractors for this work is to supplement our current efforts and our current staff,” Muhs said. “It’s a short-term thing to grow our ability to do this type of work.”
DPW Commissioner Jerrel Kruschke advised residents to pay attention while driving, suggesting that many potholes can be avoided if drivers focus on the road ahead. He also reminded residents that the city maintains a claims process for vehicle damage caused by road conditions. These comments are sure to make citizens angry.
While paying attention is always good advice, the reality on Milwaukee’s streets is far more complicated. Not every pothole can be avoided and the city is notorious for not paying repair bills.
Nighttime drivers often struggle to see road hazards due to inadequate street lighting. Heavy traffic can make maneuvering around potholes impossible. Swerving at the last second can be dangerous, especially when surrounded by other vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians. Add Milwaukee’s growing reckless driving problem into the equation, and avoiding potholes becomes more than a matter of simply paying attention.
For motorcyclists, scooter riders, and bicyclists, the risks are even greater. A pothole that causes a minor inconvenience for one driver can result in serious injuries for someone traveling on two wheels.
Milwaukee residents understand that roads wear down and repairs take time. What they are demanding is a long-term commitment to rebuilding streets that have been neglected for years.
The record number of pothole complaints should serve as a wake-up call for city leaders. Temporary patches may help today, but they will not solve tomorrow’s problems. Without significant investment in road reconstruction and infrastructure improvements, Milwaukee will continue chasing potholes instead of fixing the root cause.
