Harrisburg's Online Pothole Reporting Form Raises Questions

City says form goes directly to 311 system, but reporter's experience suggests issues with follow-up

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:20pm

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph of a blurred, hazy street scene with the faint outline of a pothole visible in the foreground, conveying a sense of the frustration and lack of clarity around the city's pothole reporting process.A city's pothole reporting system faces scrutiny after a resident's experience highlights potential gaps in follow-through.Harrisburg Today

A reporter in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania submitted an online form to report a pothole, but the issue went unresolved for over a month despite the city's claim that the form goes directly into their 311 system. The city spokesperson acknowledged the reporter's experience and said they would look into what happened to the initial March 12 submission.

Why it matters

The effectiveness of Harrisburg's pothole reporting system is important for residents who rely on it to get road hazards addressed in a timely manner. This story raises questions about whether the online form is being properly monitored and if the city is following up on all reported issues.

The details

The reporter submitted the online pothole reporting form on March 12, but the pothole was still there nearly a month later. The reporter then called 311, where an operator transferred the call to the Department of Public Works. A representative said they would make sure the pothole was addressed, and it was filled within less than two business days. However, the reporter never received any confirmation that the original online form submission was processed.

  • The reporter submitted the online pothole reporting form on March 12.
  • Nearly a month later, the pothole was still there.
  • The reporter submitted a second form on April 10.
  • The reporter then called 311 on April 10.
  • The pothole was filled by early Tuesday, April 14.

The players

Mischelle Moyer

City spokesperson for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

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What they’re saying

“That link goes directly into our 311 system, which gets answered and routed by our front-end atrium receptionist. Each morning when she comes in, she reviews all 311 incident reports and forwards the email to the appropriate department or bureau. Then the issues are dealt with by severity and/or in the order they were received. Residents and businesses are always welcome to follow up with the specific department to see where in queue their report is filed.”

— Mischelle Moyer, City spokesperson

What’s next

The city spokesperson said she would check into what happened to the reporter's initial March 12 pothole reporting form submission.

The takeaway

This story highlights potential issues with Harrisburg's online pothole reporting system, including a lack of confirmation or follow-up for residents who use the form. It raises questions about whether the city is effectively monitoring and addressing all reported potholes in a timely manner.