Tip List: Potholes not a popular topic

It's the not the worst looking road in the county, but it's not the best either.

The road in question is Fruitland Avenue in Atwater, between Winton Way and Shaffer Road.

It's got so many cracks that, in places, the road looks as if there's a tar pit below, bubbling to the surface.

There are potholes, patches of covered up roadway and ruts galore on this stretch of road.

Tipster Molly Haut called the Tip List to say the road was in a bad way and needed fixing.

Haut, who lives near Fruitland Avenue, said she thought the road was just "terrible."

"From Shaffer to Winton Way, that piece of Fruitland is awful," she said, noting that it also floods. It's just not in good shape, she said. "There's no sidewalk!"

She's mentioned the problem at a community meeting but it didn't seem to bother anyone else. "I thought, 'this is a terrible little piece of road.'"

She has not mentioned the problem to the city, though.

"I have a nice car and I hate going down that road," she said.

After hearing these complaints, I went down there to take a look for myself.

Her description wasn't far from the truth. There are potholes and cracks all along the road.

When I called the city, they explained the road was scheduled for repair.

Dave Church, the city's public works director, said he has received some complaints about the shoulder of Fruitland Avenue and plans to do something about it -- and soon.

This summer the city may extend the asphalt along the road's shoulder if there is a budget for such work, he said.

As for the potholes: "We will probably be starting out there and filling in those potholes beside the road by the end of February," Church said. "Paving will come later."

What is wrong: Fruitland Avenue in Atwater is crumbling and pockmarked with pot holes.

Who is responsible: The city of Atwater for only patching up the road instead of fixing the problem in one go.

Tip off the tip list!

If you see something broken or in need of repair in your neighborhood, call the Sun-Star Tip List reporter, Jonah Owen Lamb, with your tips at (209) 385-2484 or e-mail jlamb@mercedsun-star.com.