THE HOLE ROAD

As my blog evolves more and more into a Twin Cities focused forum, I find it important to focus on topics that cover the spectrum of interests and relevance. Since I reside in an Uptown dwelling, it makes sense that community issues along the blocks of Hennepin Ave S and Lyndale Ave S would resonate with me. The latest of these is the ridiculous number of potholes that you can find puncturing the asphalt of Hennepin Ave S between the Walker Art Center and Franklin Ave.

If you're traveling south, you'll come across no less than a few dozen craters ranging in size from that of a softball to basketballs. Anyone that has navigated this treacherous passage can relate to the dodging and weaving drivers must do to avoid slamming a tire and tweaking an axle in one of these. I can't even imagine being an innocent biker on a trip to Lowry Hill Liquor trying to do the same. A car tire is one thing, but riding a bike into such a pit screams of road rash and torn spandex.

It's Just a Matter of Time in Uptown

Coming from the south toward the 94 East on-ramp is no better. Just the same, potholes have sprouted like zits on an adolescent forehead. Perhaps these road-worn holes were an affordable way for the city to create a rumble alert system in front of the freeway entrance to jolt drunk-drivers to their senses at 3am. MNDot would probably love it if it were that simple. Instead, construction work to patch the pocks is imminent when the weather turns. Which of course means grid-lock in another part of an already frustrating stretch of the city for commuters.

Do you have any other spots across the Cities that seem overly stricken by pothole syndrome? Is there a theory behind this year's road damage despite the relatively mild winter?