Residents frustrated about deteriorating streets in their neighborhood

 

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind., — Construction season is officially underway, but one St. Joseph County neighborhood said they’ve been plagued by potholes on top of deteriorating roads from wear and tear over the years.

“It’s terrible you know you cringe every time you pull in and out of the driveway because there’s such a significant lift from the different levels of asphalt,” said Jared Basker who lives on Dresden Drive.

Basker is one of the many residents in the neighborhood who comes through Dresden Drive every day.

Residents said they’re not only frustrated, but worried about safety impacts of the road conditions.

“In my house I have drains for the water runoff and it don’t even work anymore because I have so much gravel down in the drains and now it floods, so in the winter time I have an ice skating rink which is a safety concern,” said Gregg Rajski, who also lives on the street.

“It’s not just the potholes. There’s a ledge at the end of the driveways. I’ve actually got people that will come to my house and can’t use the driveway because their car sits so low it will literally drag going in and out of the driveway,” added Kevin Mills, another resident of the area.

Neighbors said Dresden Drive is just one road in the area that’s waited decades to be repaved.

They said when drivers tried reaching out to St. Joseph County Highway Department, nothing happens.

“This road hasn’t been paved in close to 30 years and it’s just to the point where it’s way to deteriorated to do anymore Band-Aids. It’s turning more into a gravel road than anything,” explained Basker.

“We’re surrounded by brand new roads. State line road was done last year, Hollyhock, Wedgewood, these neighborhoods here need to be replaced, they need to be fixed,” added his neighbor Michael Psalidas.

ABC57 did reach out to the St. Joseph County Highway Department, but we have not yet received a response.

The county does use a pavement management system for each year to determine which roads get paved.

If you’d like to report a concern or more information on the highway department click here