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Winter Storm Nearly Busts City Budget; Pothole Repair Crews Out In Force

City Launches Pothole Plan

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The recent winter storm and deep freeze may turn out to be a real budget-buster, as the city of Chicago clears snow and fills potholes.

For 2014, the city budgeted $20.3 million for snow removal. In the first 10 days alone, they've spent more than half of it: $10.2 million -- $7.2 million on salt, CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports.

The Chicago Department of Transportation says Friday was the first day it's really attacked the potholes with all hands on deck, so there are no budget issues yet.

They are the bane of every driver's existence, but unfortunately potholes are an unavoidable part of winter in Chicago. Now the city is making an all-out effort to fix the streets.

CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli reports city repair crews will be working seven days a week through April to patch potholes.

Heavy snow last week, and dramatic shifts in temperature this week have left plenty of streets filled with potholes, making for rough driving for motorists.

City officials said crews already have filled approximately 15,000 potholes in the first few days of 2014. Last year, crews filled 625,000 potholes.

The Emanuel administration said its goal is to fill every pothole within seven days of when it's reported.

However, a recent inspector general's report found at least 26 percent of potholes are not filled within that time frame.

To report a pothole, call 311, or click here.

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