Apr 6, 2026 - News

How it started, pothole edition

Sabrina Moreno

Group of road workers and volunteers in neon vests repair a pothole on a sunny street. A man in a white hard hat and orange gloves shovels asphalt as others watch; a truck is parked to the right. — CAO Odie Donald II filling his first Richmond pothole. Video: Sabrina Moreno/Axios

CAO Odie Donald II filling his first Richmond pothole. Video: Sabrina Moreno/Axios

Early last month, Richmond officials announced a pothole repair blitz by having the Chief Administrative Officer fill a few off Forest Hill Avenue (pictured above).

By the numbers: Department of Public Works crews have filled over 1,600 potholes since and nearly 3,000 since the year started, per the city's Instagram.

Yes, but: How it's going:

An orange traffic cone sits in a large pothole in a gray street, with white lane lines, parked cars along the curb, a sidewalk, and brick buildings in the background. — Diners at 3 Monkeys and Helen's were debating how deep a pothole has to be before it's considered a sinkhole. Photo: Sabrina Moreno/Axios

Reality check: The pothole blitz wrapped up last month, before this beauty (above) formed in a parking lane on West Main Street in The Fan.

But, but, but: The city wants people to keep filing 311 tickets when they see one.

Fun fact: More than 30 pothole repair requests have come in on 311 since April 1, per an Axios review.

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How it started, pothole edition

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