Bumpy Battles: Portland Residents Left to Fix Crater-like Potholes

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Driving down Southeast 159th Avenue in Portland could feel like navigating through a lunar landscape rather than a city street. Potholes, resembling impact craters, pepper the road, posing a challenge for residents and businesses alike. Despite years of complaints and concerns, the city of Portland seems to have washed its hands of the responsibility, leaving residents to fend for themselves.

For Daryle Huff, owner of Godz Isle Auto sales, located on the troublesome stretch of 159th and Division, the potholes have become more than just an annoyance. With 18 years of dealing with the hazardous road conditions, he's reached a breaking point. Huff reports incidents of cars damaging their oil pans while attempting to navigate through the deep craters. Despite sporadic gravel dumping by the city, the situation persists, denting not just car parts but also his business's reputation. Potential customers, put off by the road's condition, have left scathing reviews, impacting his sales and U-Haul rental services.

Sheryl Fogle, a longtime resident of Southeast 159th Avenue, echoes the frustration. Living on the street for 45 years, she has witnessed the deteriorating road conditions firsthand. Despite reaching out to the city numerous times, residents like Fogle have been met with the same response: it's their responsibility to fix it.

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) shed some light on the matter, explaining that when gravel roads were annexed into the city, they were never designated for maintenance. According to PBOT, property owners adjacent to these un-maintained streets are accountable for repairs up to the centerline. The city absolves itself of responsibility, emphasizing that homeowners can undertake repairs without permits as long as they use suitable materials.

With the city washing its hands of the issue, residents of Southeast 159th Avenue face an uphill battle against the potholes. For Huff and Fogle, the prospect of smoother roads seems bleak. Despite years of paying taxes and voicing concerns, they remain disillusioned with the city's response. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: for the residents of Portland, navigating through bureaucratic roadblocks may prove as challenging as avoiding the potholes themselves.