Teen’s DIY Pothole Fix Goes Viral, Sparks Road Repair Debate in Dearborn Heights

Ali Chahine bought asphalt from Home Depot and patched potholes himself. The 18-year-old from Dearborn Heights spent over $600 on new tires in six months. He'd had enough. Saturday afternoon, he grabbed four buckets and went to work on Cherry Hill Road while his TikTok video racked up more than 200,000 views.

Chahine drives on Cherry Hill Road near Beech Daly Street almost every day to get to his job. His car started shaking from the wrecked pavement. A friend's tire popped on that same stretch.

"The potholes are so deep, I've had a bunch of flat tires from them," said Chahine to CBS Detroit. "I just kind of got tired of it."

He used the cap of each bucket to scoop and spread the material. Then he stomped on the asphalt to press it flat.

Both Inkster and Dearborn Heights own that section of Cherry Hill Road. A $2.6 million federal grant went to the city for reconstruction work. That project starts June 1.

John Danci directs the Department of Public Works in Dearborn Heights. He explained the delay comes from three groups working together: the Wayne County Federal Aid Committee, Dearborn Heights, and Inkster. That stretch from Gully to Inkster has been a problem for five years.

"Historically, I think the roads in the area have taken a beating over the last decade or so," Danci said.

Crews will need to put a cold patch over what Chahine fixed, Danci added. The best way to get a pothole repaired? Contact the city, county, or state.

"It does take a little bit of time to go through their bidding process, but those funds have been allocated based on the federal aid committee's timeline and plan," Danci said.

Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun responded to the video. The city has patched Cherry Hill several times already, he explained, according to WXYZ.

Chahine might fix more potholes if he gets the money. City workers want residents to file complaints instead of doing repairs on their own.

"That makes me like, feel very happy that like, what I'm saying is actually being heard, instead of just, like, going in one ear and out the other," Chahine said.