Manhattan road conditions are straining students’ pockets and heightening safety concerns

With potholes on almost every street she drives, Kansas State student Kayla Peters has trouble avoiding them. She ended up hitting a pothole, causing about $300 in damage.

K-State has a large population of commuting students, and Manhattan’s roads create inconveniences and financial burdens for those who can barely afford car maintenance.

The problem centers around the main roads leading to and from K-State’s campus. City Engineer Brian Johnson said potholes are a “recurring problem” due to weather, traffic and crowds.

“Potholes are kind of a never-ending process,” Johnson said. “We are going to do a lot of street work that summer. Once K-State gets out of school, we usually try to work on our asphalt throughout the summer while the traffic decreases. On May 13 we are getting ready to do a lot of asphalt work this summer.”

Students, many of whom rely on their cars to commute to classes and part-time jobs, are faced with unexpected and often costly car repairs. The financial pressure is particularly heavy for students struggling with the costs of tuition and living expenses.

Local mechanics witness the impact of poor road conditions on vehicles. While benefiting from the increased workload, workers expressed concerns about the recurring nature of such repairs and the strain this places on their regular customers.

Ray Sanders, a mechanic at Ekart Automotive, said cars that have previously suffered damage or are “slightly loose” are more likely to suffer further damage from potholes.

“If some people’s car has a loose front end, a flimsy bumper or previous car problems, those potholes will finish them off,” Sanders said. “We have seen many people with ball joints come loose, causing their entire wheel to come loose, which is extremely dangerous and risky, not only for the driver but for those around them.”

According to MOOGa leading brand of premium replacement steering, suspension, wheel ends and drivetrain products, a loose ball joint can increase the chance of a crash as it can seriously affect the car’s steering and suspension.

Sanders said damages could amount to anywhere from $700 to $1,000.

Andrew Moeller, captain of the K-State Police Department, said there are concerns about possible safety hazards due to poor road conditions.

“Road construction detours often force more vehicles onto thoroughfares than originally intended,” Moeller said. “This in turn causes delays, frustration among drivers and drivers often drive unsafely. It is important that drivers allow themselves sufficient extra time to arrive at their destination during construction along your regularly traveled roads.”

Paige Vulgamore, student body president, Said students can contact the Student Governing Association to discuss road conditions.

“I am aware that many students are concerned about the potholes and bad roads around campus,” Vulgamore said. “Many students commute to campus by car every day, and the potholes cause significant wear and tear on their vehicles. The poor road conditions also pose a safety problem for students traveling by motorcycle, moped, bicycle, etc.”

Peters said the front bumper of her car came loose after she crashed into a pothole while driving near campus.

“Even if you respect the speed limit, it is difficult to avoid them,” Peters said. “As a student it is already difficult to earn the money and if, like me, you damage your car on campus and have no choice but to repair it, it becomes a lot more difficult when it has to come out of my pocket to pay for it pay .”

Johnson said students can file a claim via law of the campus court.

“These claims are typically denied because there has to be a prior known problem, where there has to be negligence on the part of the city, but there is a process you can go through to file a claim,” Johnson said .

Vulgamore said student leaders in SGA maintain constant contact with the administration.

“We also have a director of external relations in the executive branch who serves on several outside committees dealing with the city, including the MHK-KSU Town Gown Committee, the City Commission and the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce,” Vulgamore said. “Although this director was just sworn in yesterday, I expect she will continue to be involved in these conversations in the future.”

City officials are also working with local construction companies to address reported damage through “Report it!”, an online non-emergent submission site.