Summer 2026 Shakopee Snapshot

PUBLIC WORKS Understanding potholes and how we fix them

We all know the frustration of hitting a pothole and sometimes even swerving to avoid the biggest ones. Here in Shakopee, like much of Minnesota, potholes are an almost unavoidable part of our roads. A pothole forms when water seeps into the soil beneath the pavement and weakens it. As cars and trucks drive over these areas, the unsup ported asphalt begins to break apart. Over time, pieces of asphalt and soil are displaced, leaving a hole in the road. Winter can make potholes worse. When daytime temperatures melt snow and ice, water infiltrates the pavement. At night, when temperatures drop, the water freezes and expands, pushing up the asphalt. Repeated freezing and thawing eventually causes cracks and creates potholes. To keep our roads safe and smooth, the City of Shakopee uses two main types of pothole repairs: temporary and semi-permanent. Temporary repairs, often done in winter when conditions aren’t ideal for permanent fixes, use cold mix asphalt to quickly restore a drivable surface. Semi-permanent repairs are performed when weather and conditions allow for a longer-lasting solution. Residents can help keep our streets in great condition by reporting potholes and other road issues directly on the in the City’s Service Request Portal at ShakopeeMN.gov/servicerequest .

See a pothole? Tell us! Visit ShakopeeMN.gov/servicerequest to report potholes or other local road issues.

Your reports help our crews prioritize repairs and make Shakopee’s streets safer for everyone.

Register your preschooler for ‘Big Rigs’ See Public Works machinery up close July 24, Aug. 14

If you’re looking to gain some summer brownie points with the pre schooler in your life, our Big Rigs events on July 24 and Aug. 14 are a great place to start. This event gives kids the chance to get up close and personal and explore a variety of special heavy-duty equipment used by the Public Works Department. Register in advance at ShakopeeMN.gov/registration . Cost for residents is $7.

Kids ages 3–5 will have an hour to explore some of the big machines used by the City.

Keeping Shakopee’s sanitary sewer system flowing Keeping the City of Shakopee’s sanitary sewer system running smoothly takes planning, preventative maintenance, and teamwork between the City and residents. The Public Works Department follows a regular pro gram of cleaning and inspecting sewer lines to prevent small issues from becoming messy problems. Recently, crews identified and sealed inflow and infiltration issues in manholes near the Minnesota River, saving money for the City by pre venting unnecessary strain on the system. Another sanitary sewer concern is hydrogen sulfide gas, known for its “rotten egg” smell, which can cause scaling and damage to pipes. The City has successfully used methods such as epoxy coatings to slow this deterioration.

Every three years, City crews clean (or“jet”) all main sewer lines. In 2026, more than 275,000 feet of sewer lines will be jet-cleaned to remove debris and keep water flowing freely. The City also inspects its pipes with a camera televising system every 10 years. This process identifies grease buildup, cracked or sagging pipes, and offset joints. It also helps detect inflow (when clean water from sump pumps or downspouts enters the sewer system) and infil tration (when groundwater leaks into sewer pipes). Excess clear water reduces capacity for wastewater, which can lead to backups and increased treatment costs.

Residents also play an important role in keeping the system flowing. Only flush body waste, pet waste, and toilet paper. Avoid pouring grease or oil down the drain, and never flush wipes, diapers, or other items. The packaging may claim it’s a “flushable” product, but in real ity those items do not break down as easily as toilet paper and can snag on the pipes, causing clogs and backups. For more information on Shakopee’s sanitary sewer system and tips to prevent backups, visit ShakopeeMN.gov/publicworks .

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