Oakland: Jackson Street gets patched up a bit

What's working better: Four months ago, Chronicle Watch reported on Oakland's Jackson Street between Seventh and 10th streets. It was a stretch of pavement so strewn with crevices that Chronicle Watch reader Roger Hiscox said, "You almost need a four-wheel drive to go down it. ... I work in the area and ride a motorcycle, but can no longer use this stretch of road due to the danger of hitting a hole and falling." At the time, Oakland's Community and Economic Development Agency said the corridor was scheduled for resurfacing in the summer of 2010. But last week, Kristine Shaff, spokeswoman with Oakland's Public Works Agency, said the city had patched up the offending section of roadway. Shaff said once more funding is found, "we hope to do more blocks along Jackson as we are able." She said the attention by Chronicle Watch "may have helped a bit in the decision to do the pothole repair, (but so did) our own progress in addressing priority areas." She said the resurfacing project planned for next summer may still happen on Jackson Street.

Who got it done: Raul Godinez II, Oakland's director of public works, (510) 238-3961; rgodinez@oaklandnet.com

This article appeared on page D - 2 of the San Francisco Chronicle