From pothole weddings to Halloween costumes and even makeshift hot tubs, New Orleans’ crumbling streets have become part of the city’s cultural humor. But as a new mayor prepares to take office, the long-standing pothole problem is back in serious focus.
Norma Jean Mattei, a civil engineer and engineering professor, says the issue isn’t as simple as dumping asphalt into every hole.
“There are several layers to the pothole problem,” Mae says. “Different potholes require different solutions and asphalt is not always the answer.”
One of the city’s biggest challenges lies beneath the pavement itself.
“New Orleans has poor soil conditions, and that makes us more susceptible to pothole formation,” Mae explains.
During the campaign, Mayor-elect Helena Moreno pointed to manpower shortages as a major contributor, noting that neighboring parishes often have more crews on the streets. But Mae says current budget realities may make a massive staffing increase difficult.
“The ‘all hands on deck’ approach may not be realistic under existing budget rules,” she says.
Instead, Mae recommends a more strategic plan — starting with better information.
“The city needs a strong inventory of potholes,” Mae says. “Where they are, what type they are, and what it will take to fix each one.”
From there, she says the city should prioritize repairs based on need and usage.
“In New Orleans, that means understanding which streets are hurricane routes, parade routes, or heavily traveled corridors,” Mattei notes.
Once priorities are clear, Mae says the city can match repairs to available funding and work through the list in a deliberate way.
She also encourages the incoming administration to look beyond Louisiana for ideas.
“Cities like Syracuse and Memphis have made real progress with pothole management,” Mae says. “We don’t have to keep this problem in the past if we put the right plan in place.”
As leadership changes, Mattei says smart planning, not just quick fixes, could finally turn New Orleans’ most joked-about problem into a solvable one.