As you’ve no doubt noticed, potholes around the metro area are worse than usual this year due to multiple cycles of freezing and thawing throughout the winter. A news story from KARE 11 provides a great explanation of why potholes form.

Until spring arrives and asphalt is available (usually mid to late April), St. Louis Park public works staff are doing their best to patch the worst potholes on city streets. This often requires multiple fills with a cold patch material or reclaimed asphalt, rather than the more permanent hot asphalt patching in the spring and summer. In the meantime, you can report potholes on city streets, county roads and state highways using the following methods.

How to report potholes

Within St. Louis Park, there are streets owned by the city, county and state. If you have a concern about potholes or other road conditions, it's important to contact the appropriate maintenance agency. Below you will find the contact information and how to report a problem for each agency.

City streets

Potholes on city streets can be reported to the St. Louis Park Public Works Department at 952.924.2562 or submitted through www.mystlouispark.org.

County roads

County roads in St. Louis Park include Excelsior Boulevard/County Road 3 and Minnetonka Boulevard/County Road 5. Potholes on these streets can be reported to Hennepin County Government at 612.596.0299 or submitted online.

State highways

State highways in St. Louis Park include Interstate 394 and State Highways 7, 100 and 169. Potholes on these roadways can be reported to the Minnesota Department of Transportation at 651.366.5165 or submitted online.

When contacting these agencies, please be ready to report the location by listing the street and closest intersection where the problem pothole exists, and a house number or some way of identifying the location.

If you are unsure of which office to contact, call the St. Louis Park Public Works Department at 952.924.2562.