Lu commented on the state of Taipei roads, criticizing Zhongshan North Road — sections four through six in particular — as being the most objectionable, with frequent potholes. Engineers and roadworkers pointed out other roads, including Nangang Road section one, Zhongxiao East Road section seven, Wenshan district’s Muxin road, which are all alleged to have “big and small potholes along almost every meter” of street.

Maintenance workers complained that the sharp increase in potholes is often misunderstood by the public as resulting from the poor performance of the Bureau of Public Works (BPW).

Despite public outrage over the theft of roadwork equipment, BPW Vice President Ssu Lin-mien pointed out an alternative cause of “pothole fever” — cracks in the roads develop into small holes that are further eroded by persistent rain.

The main exit from Taipei bridge leading into the city was also identified as developing more and more potholes.

A recent survey of Taipei pointed out that this year’s Spring Festival period has seen road repair crews racing around the city, so far meeting a record number of 253 pothole repairs over six days.

Out of all maintenance carried out recently, BPW calculated Zhongzheng District as coming first with 50 cases of pothole repairs, followed by Zhongshan District with 40, and 34 in Wenshan District.

According to the survey, this number has grown year-on-year, reaching an annual high during the Spring Festival period which sees extended periods of heavy rainfall each year.

Taiwan media remarked that the growing number of potholes on main thoroughfares has added to hazards brought by wet weather conditions, such as slippery roads and decreased visibility, leading to an increase in traffic accidents.

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