NEW ORLEANS - Most people would agree, the condition of some city streets is frustrating. Enough was enough for some residents in Mid-City, who took it upon themselves to fill a hole.
With potholes, sinkholes, and other obstructions, New Orleans roads can be a nightmare to navigate.
"It destroys cars," said Fiora Maxwell. "It's dangerous and I ride a bike everywhere and it's pretty bad."
One problem can be found at Banks and South Alexander streets in Mid-City, where residents say a nasty hole has greeted drivers for months.
"It's New Orleans," said Jessica Arnold. "It's somewhere on the list of frustrations, but that's part of what we deal with."
A resident, who wouldn't go on camera, told Eyewitness News that last year, Sewerage and Water Board crews had replaced a lead pipe and the city was supposed to patch up the road. However, that has yet to happen.
"Everybody just goes around it," said Blake McCloskey. "When people are parked right there they should watch out especially at night too, they can't see anything except that cone there," McCloskey said as he pointed.
"Maybe we're a little more patient because we're used to it," said Arnold.
It seems though that patience has worn off. A recent Mid-City Messenger photo shows people digging into the neutral ground, using the dirt to fill the hole. They're actions people are applauding.
"It really doesn't surprise me at all, especially if you look around neighborhoods like Lakeview," said Arnold. "Communities don't wait around for the city to get around to every pothole. There are a lot of problems in New Orleans."
Rand Owens owns Mid-City Pizza. He did not partake in filling what he calls a road hazard, but agrees something needed to be done.
"It's the New Orleans way," he said. "I guess we're used to it. I don't know if it's even helped because if it rains again it'll fill up."
Like many, he's hoping for a more permanent solution. Because while people are used to it, they say they won't miss it if it's ever filled.
"It's one of many potholes around Mid-City," said Owens. "It's definitely one we stare at."
"The city has been in our neighborhood everyday fixing drainage," said Arnold. "So is it going to be perfect all the time? No. They do need to handle it. It's been like this over the holidays but I'm also aware there's a long list."