Minnesota Department of Transportation Pothole Patrol Website Open

(KNSI) — The Minnesota Department of Transportation’s pothole patrol website is now open.

It’s that time of year again as the area moves into the freeze/thaw spring cycle. Potholes form when water seeps into cracks in the road surface, freezes and expands, causing the pavement to lift and crack further; as the ice melts, it leaves a void underneath the road, which then collapses under the weight of traffic, creating a pothole.

The website provides a platform for the public to report potholes and other roadside issues on state highways and interstates. The initiative helps maintain road safety and quality by addressing issues as quickly as possible.

MnDOT maintains interstates, US highways, and state highways. Before reporting a concern, officials say to check out the statewide interactive highway map to make sure the issue is related to a MnDOT road. If it isn’t on a MnDOT road, they say to contact the city or county closest to the issue.

Contact the regional district three office for potholes in our area on MnDOT roads. In St. Cloud, drivers can report potholes on city streets by calling (320) 650-2900 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For potholes on county roads, contact the county’s public works or highway department.

Temporary patches will be going in for now. Permanent fixes can’t be done until the temperature is consistently above 45 degrees day and night.

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