By: Angelina Nguyen, Gaohlee Thao and Christine Yang

Our goal for the article is to reach local residents of the East Side of Saint Paul and spread awareness about road issues (potholes) in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Spreading awareness about road issue(s), like potholes, can also bring awareness to different areas in Saint Paul so residents across Saint Paul can also drive safely no matter the status and conditions of that area. We also want to incorporate into our article how to help fund Saint Paul with their budgeting to help with road issues and help pothole victims along with other things. 

We want to address the problem that Minnesota has with roadway inconveniences that lead to damaged vehicles, injured civilians, and chaos on the road – all caused by potholes. In 2023, Minnesota was rated as the worst state for having potholes because data showed by QuoteWizard, that Minnesota had the most pothole-related complaints of any state. KSTP, a local Minnesota news outlet, created a post relating to the overall issue of potholes in Saint Paul to help inform citizens about repair programs for roads, or reimbursement for cars/injured citizens. 

The reason Minnesota roads end up with so many potholes is because it goes through the freeze-thaw cycle, which usually occurs during the winter season; that is how potholes are formed. The freeze-thaw cycle happens when the temperature fluctuates repeatedly below and above 32F.  The freeze-thaw cycle hollows the road, and with the added pressure, when people are driving on the weakened roads, this is why potholes look like a dent in the road. Minneapolis and Duluth, or similar cities, face the worst cases of potholes due to the fact that these cities are heavily trafficked and have to deal with harsh climate conditions. These are two main factors that contribute to deteriorating the infrastructure. 

Not only are potholes an inconvenience to traffic, but they are also a hassle for residents who may have to pay repair fees on their damaged cars, paying up to $1,000. This kind of fee can be covered by insurance companies or reimbursed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) by filing a complaint of negligence, but this might not be the case for some residents who are affected. They might not get either of the coverage and might have to pay from their own income. According to the U.S. Census of Saint Paul, the average income per year for a household is $35,000-$70,000, so taking some portion of this family income if they were to pay may not be possible. 

Potholes have been a problem in Minnesota, but it doesn’t seem to be a huge concern, and it is not talked about enough. Considering what kind of damages and dangers are caused by potholes – that are frequent to Minnesota roads and occur yearly during the winter months, we think it is about time this topic is reviewed more and is talked about more, to help alleviate the traffic disruption. In the Saint Paul community, it is necessary to look out for other people in the community who might come into danger with potholes and will have to pay the aftermath prices, such as hospital bills or car repair fees. This will cost a lot for a low-income family who might not be eligible for car insurance coverage or reimbursement by MnDOT.

The East Side is one of the areas that struggles with poverty the most, which can be the reason why the roads are in a rougher condition than other areas of Saint Paul. That area, and others, probably are not at the same level of prioritization of road conditions compared to other areas of Saint Paul, or just cities in Minnesota in general, that don’t struggle with poverty as much. This leads to more frequent and severe potholes in those areas that are often overlooked while the “wealthier” areas are being cared for, or focused on, more. The East Side and other areas most likely wouldn’t be able to properly afford the costs of pothole recovery and/or fixing accidents that were a result of the poor road conditions. But even knowing that Saint Paul struggles with finances for road conditions, which leads to the cause of potholes or more road issues not being fixed, can help lead to more people trying to do something to fix the problem. 

The average median household income in Saint Paul in 2019-2023 was $17,055, which can be a reflection of Saint Paul’s funding or budgeting. This ties back to institutional oppression because those in low-income areas will most likely have a difficult time finding access to affordable healthcare or insurance to cover possible damages to themselves or their vehicles caused by these harsh road conditions. 

Poor road conditions also get in the way of people getting access to education, healthcare, and employment, as many people face delays or have difficulty getting from one place to the other on roads that are poorly maintained. This impacts low-income and minority groups more as they may not have many options for transportation. Also, the costs of car repairs as a result of potholes can be a significant burden for these families, taking money away from other necessities. Whereas areas with higher incomes would have an easier time with being able to afford and get access to the right resources or help that they would need from any damages. 

Institutional oppression manifests in budget allocations, with marginalized communities often receiving less funding for road work, paving, and timely repairs. In turn, this neglect influences cycles of poverty, as deteriorating roads contribute to unsafe driving conditions, car damage, and hindrances to economic mobility. Furthermore, these potholes can lead to environmental problems, as the streets in these communities may not be fit to handle certain climates like flooding, stormwater, and other weather conditions that can make existing inequities worse. Potholes deepen disparities, impacting transportation, health, safety, and community resources.

If potholes are spotted on a street in Saint Paul, Minnesota or your vehicle has been damaged due to it, report it to this link. https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/public-works/street-maintenance/pothole-patching