St. Paul, Minnesota — The worst winter in recent memory has caused a significant increase in potholes on highways, roads and streets throughout Minnesota. Today, the Minnesota House Transportation Finance committee discussed legislation authored by Rep. Barb Yarusso (DFL- Shoreview) that includes $15 million to help local governments throughout the state address the need to repair potholes.
“Sometimes my drive from my district in Shoreview to the State Capitol feels like an amusement ride with the increase in potholes and I would bet most Minnesota drivers have had similar experiences,” said Yarusso. “This is a common sense safety issue for our drivers and communities that I would hope can secure broad bipartisan support.”
The legislation, which was included as part of the omnibus transportation supplemental budget bill, includes $5 million from general fund and just over $10 million from the trunk highway fund to help local governments throughout the state address the need to repair potholes on highways, county roads, and municipal streets. Yarusso said that the need for these resources is greater after an especially expensive winter for city and county governments.
“The need for pothole repair is greater because of the unusually harsh winter, so our local governments will have fewer resources to meet other maintenance needs,” said Yarusso. “These increased state funds should provide much needed assistance so that our local governments can get right to work as we transition from winter season to pothole season.”
MnDOT sources estimate that every $1 million can purchase about 20,000 tons of pothole materials. The additional $15 million in pothole repairs could fill up to 50,000 additional potholes throughout the state, with the average cost to fill a pothole this spring at about $300 for materials and labor.
Rep. Yarusso’s bill was included in the supplemental Transportation Finance appropriation bill (HF 3260). The bill is likely to receive a vote in the House Transportation committee this evening and is likely to move forward.
Representative Yarusso encourages constituents to contact her with any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas. She can be reached by phone at 651-296-0141 or by email at rep.barb.yarusso@house.mn