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Residents demand action after massive potholes create damage

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Massive potholes sit under a popular overpass. Drivers passing through it decrease their speeds considerably once they reach the bumpy road.

This stretch sits on Rural Street just between Southeastern and East Washington Street. According to some drivers, this portion of road has deteriorated for the past two years.

“You hate to say something like this, but the poorer the neighborhood, they forget about it,” said one driver passing through.

Drivers go down the wrong side of the street to avoid the potholes. One resident says she has seen emergency vehicles go the wrong way as well.

The Department of Public Works placed street signs warning drivers of the rough patch of road, but that has done little to help according to some residents.

“It doesn’t make any sense on why they put the sign up,” said a woman as she talked from her porch.

24-Hour News 8 discovered that engineers have listed that section as one of the worst in the city. Late last year, Indianapolis City County Council approved funding to repave the road, but special accommodations had to be in place because there is a railroad that sits over that bridge.

Shutting down the street near the bridge wasn’t an option according to DPW Communications Director Scott Manning.

“You can tell there are a lot of residents and business in the area,” said Manning.

Work is set to begin in two weeks on the road.

Some drivers have already racked up some serious damage on their vehicle as they passed through that intersection.

“My wife, she came underneath the bridge and she hit the chuckhole and it busted her rim and tire,” said Joe Gibson.

If you believe your vehicle was damaged while traveling under the overpass, you can file a tort claim with the city.

For more information on filing a claim, click here.