With many students on the campus of Grambling State University who drive a car, there is a major issue about the potholes that are still around campus. GSU is still in the process of the beautification plan, which also includes the streets within the academic community.
Potholes can grow up to a foot in width, but although some may be a few inches deep, it can still be deep enough to bring extreme damages to vehicles. Some students have experienced these damages first hand on, and there has been a case on campus where a student had tire damage to his vehicle and more.
”I was driving and I hit a hole,” said CIS major Braxton Matthews, 19. “I got out of my car and my rim was bent and after that I noticed my tire started to gradually lose air.”
The Houma native vehicle was later inoperable and needed to be taken into a mechanic.
Creation of potholes is brought about by low temperatures and by water. Also when it becomes cold and water turns into ice, this puts greater stress on cracked pavement. Once a pothole forms, it grows into more broken chunks of pavement.
If a pothole fills with water, the growth may be accelerated from the water washing loose particles away. Potholes also tend to form most often during spring months when the sub grade is weak due to high moisture.
Students overall feel the issue isn’t entirely bad, but it’s problem that can be fixed.
”I feel like the issue needs to be taken care of because it will help the beautification process,” junior class president Biology major Ginia Smith said. “I don’t feel it’s a huge issue but it is one that needs to be fixed.”
So far, at least two major potholes have been fixed by the university, but there are still potholes that need attention.