The city has finally filled a huge car-eating hole in Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s old Long Island City district in Queens — but it’s growing faster than NYC’s budget deficit, and it’s causing accidents.
The monster pothole appeared like a depression about a month ago, hitting the middle of the two-lane, one-way, westbound lane near 41.St 23rd Streetrd and 24th roads.
But it grew into a dangerous hole — about 6 feet long, five feet wide and about 30 inches deep — when The Post measured it on April 22.
City workers filled the hellhole two days later, but local residents said the asphalt patchwork began to sink within hours.
A truck that was traveling in a dimly lit lane on Monday morning swerved trying to avoid a pothole, hit a parked car, and damaged both cars, witnesses said.
The truck driver, who identified himself as “Hassan,” told The Post through an interpreter that his vehicle had to be towed due to extensive damage and wanted the city to pick up the tab.
“The city collects so much money [from taxpayers]but nothing is ever properly fixed,” said Hassan, adding that he left a letter to the owner of the car he called but he has not heard back.
“Everything is the same every day. Accidents are increasing. The city should pay for this accident.”
The ravine erupted in front of the 17-story “Q41” complex, located in a former industrial area turned residential area.
City Department of Transportation workers responded twice to capture it and temporarily fix it, residents said.
Mohammad Hasan, the gatekeeper of Q41, took it upon himself. He first placed traffic cones and yellow hazard tape around the pothole, then stuck a large shovel into the pothole for drivers to see. After someone ran a shovel, the sweeper sprayed the pit and surrounding road bright orange, and planted a broomstick with a red flag.
“I wish this could be fixed – it’s getting worse,” said the security guard who was running out of techniques and equipment.
The Q41 resident mocked Mamdani for putting a hardhat on Staten Island last month to close the 100,000 hole the city has built since he took office on January 1.
“This is what socialism looks like – big promises, no action, and the left guard does all the work,” said a resident on Friday. “The city couldn’t fill the hole, so our guard stepped in to protect the people. When he retires, who’s looking out for New Yorkers—the Department of Transportation or nobody?”
Residents who built a building following Monday’s accident placed a barrier on Con Edison Road in front of the sinkhole to prevent future accidents. They had to move it back several times because cars were hitting it.
The president of the Q41 Condo, who identified herself as “Nastasha,” said the DOT’s “patchwork isn’t holding up and the pothole is still a real safety hazard.”
“Whether it caused the accident or not, it’s the kind of situation that puts people at risk every day.” he added. “This needs to be fixed permanently, not just another temporary fix.”
The agency’s failure to fill the hole continues to baffle local residents.
“It’s really dangerous because it’s in the middle of the road and it’s hard to see—especially at night—because there’s no lighting around,” said Amy Chen, who works at M Tea across the street from the main pit.
Additional reporting by JC Rice.
