New 311 app might help with daily pothole problems

In July 2015, a national report deemed 38 percent of Baton Rouge roadways “poor” and 27 percent “mediocre,” leaving just 35 percent of the city’s streets in decent condition. (17 percent ranked “fair” and 18 percent ranked “good.”)

The report, run by a Washington, D.C.-based transportation company called TRIP, says drivers in Baton Rouge are paying a hefty price to travel over the city’s bumpy thoroughfares. More than $700 per year in additional vehicle costs are attributed to shabby pavement.

Hitting potholes is a daily occurrence for Baton Rouge drivers, but a new mobile app developed by the city-parish government could speed up repair service for potholes, as well as fallen street signs, broken traffic lights and debris cleanup.

The Baton Rouge Department of Public Works launched the app in November 2015 to be a quicker, mobile version of the city’s 311 report center.

“RedStick311” allows residents to snap a photo of a pothole or other road hazard and instantly send it to the DPW’s complaint system. Through the app, users can see real-time updates on how the DPW is responding to their requests.

Users can also see announcements, services such as garbage and recycling schedules, maps to the nearest post offices, libraries and police stations, traffic incidents and emergency updates from the city-parish on the app.

“RedStick311” is available free for iOS phones, tablets and laptops on iTunes and the App Store. Android users can find it on Google Play.