More Motorists File Claims Against City As Pothole Repairs Go Into Overdrive

(CBS) – The city of Chicago is on pace to fill a record number of potholes this year.

There's also a swell of claims filed by drivers with cars damaged by craters in the road.

CBS 2's Jeremy Ross reports.

For every bump in Bucktown roads, there is a familiar noise made crossing them.

There's also a distinct sound crews make to patch them up and it is a sound heard at a record pace this year.

The city has filled more than 750,000 potholes in 2014, already surpassing 2013's total.

"We are in good shape, considering the heavy demand that we had," says Rebekah Scheinfeld, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation.

She blames the prolonged and extremely cold winter for the spike in service.

There's also been a spike in claims against the city for damage caused by the holes to vehicles.

In 2014, 5,045 motorists have tried to get money back to date. That's more than the previous four years combined:

--743 claims in 2013

--308 claims in 2012

--817 claims in 2011

--558 claims in 2010.

Chicago has earmarked $350,000 to pay claims, but most of that has already been spent.

Contributing: CBS 2 Political Editor Ed Marshall