Jacksonville has doubled its pothole repair crews as heavy October rainfall leaves the city with 157 outstanding requests for pothole and roadway cave-in repairs.

The city had completed another 168 repairs this month as of Oct. 13, according to data obtained by Action News Jax.

Some Jacksonville neighborhoods have received more than 16 inches of rain since the beginning of October, according to the station's weather team. City officials said the prolonged wet weather weakened asphalt and increased the number of repair requests.

The backlog affects Jacksonville's citywide road maintenance system, including streets serving Mandarin and surrounding communities.

City doubles repair crews

Melissa Ross, Jacksonville's director of strategic initiatives and press liaison, told Action News Jax that the city assigned additional workers to address the growing backlog.

"We do have a higher than average number of open requests for repairs out there," Ross said.

She said crews had been unable to complete some repairs during periods of heavy rainfall but were working to catch up as conditions improved.

"More rain tends to mean more potholes. It weakens the asphalt. It necessitates more repairs," Ross said.

The 157 requests listed as "in progress" represent reported potholes and cave-ins that had not yet been repaired as of Oct. 13.

The city had completed 168 pothole and cave-in repairs during the same period.

Ross did not provide an estimated date for clearing the remaining requests, saying crews were working as quickly as possible.

Sewer failure causes roadway cave-in

The heavy rain also contributed to a larger infrastructure failure near downtown Jacksonville.

A vehicle became stuck in a roadway cave-in at Prudential Drive and Hendricks Avenue on Sunday, Oct. 11, after a gravity sewer main failed beneath the intersection.

JEA said heavy rainfall and sand intrusion contributed to the sewer failure, which caused the pavement above it to collapse.

The incident temporarily closed Prudential Drive between Hendricks and Kipp avenues.

JEA crews worked overnight to repair the damage, and News4Jax confirmed the road reopened by Monday, Oct. 12.

Unlike ordinary potholes, which typically develop as pavement deteriorates, roadway cave-ins can result from underground utility failures and may require more extensive repairs.

Jacksonville's Public Works Department maintains city roadways, while JEA handles cave-ins involving its water and sewer infrastructure.

How to report road damage

Mandarin residents who encounter potholes on neighborhood streets or major corridors can report them through Jacksonville's MyJax service request system or by calling 630-CITY (904-630-2489).

The city's Roadway Maintenance Division oversees pothole repairs and other pavement maintenance.

Residents who notice roadway collapses involving water or sewer infrastructure can contact JEA at 904-665-6000.

The city has not announced when the remaining October repair requests will be completed.