Southington HS Students Push For Road Repairs As Part Of Class Project

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A group of Southington High School students is urging state and local officials to prioritize road repairs after conducting a community survey that found widespread concern about deteriorating road conditions throughout town.

The effort is part of a civic advocacy project completed by SHS AP Government and Politics students Evan Morgan, Jackson Rose, Derek Gaszek and Jonathan Plourde.

The students focused their research on pavement deterioration and potholes along heavily traveled roads, including Queen Street, East Street and Route 322.

According to survey results collected by the students, 53.6% of respondents rated the condition of Southington's roads as poor.

Potholes were identified as the most common roadway problem by 89.3% of respondents, while 64.3% cited cracks in road surfaces.

The survey also found that 92.9% of respondents support increased town attention and funding for road repairs and safety improvements.

The students argue that deteriorating pavement poses safety risks by causing drivers to swerve around potholes, potentially increasing the likelihood of crashes involving motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

They also contend that poor road conditions can result in vehicle damage and negatively affect local businesses by discouraging visitors from traveling through commercial areas.

As part of their project, the students drafted a letter to state Sen. Rob Sampson, D-Southington, requesting that he work with the Connecticut Department of Transportation to include state-maintained roads in Southington among the agency's repair and resurfacing priorities.

At the local level, the students are advocating for the adoption of a Preventive Pavement Management System, which would establish a structured approach to road maintenance and dedicate recurring funding for crack sealing and other preservation efforts designed to extend the lifespan of roadways.

The project was completed as part of the AP Government and Politics curriculum, which encourages students to identify local issues and develop policy proposals through civic engagement and advocacy.