Saint James Roads in Disrepair: Potholes a Plea for Community

By: Lauren Hickey

SAINT JAMES, NY – Saint James has become a favorite spot to live because of its quiet living. Yet, the roads of Saint James, a quiet suburban hamlet in Suffolk County, are riddled with potholes, making the residents' daily drives a bumpy ride. From Moriches Road to Middle Country Road, motorists dodge big potholes that could damage tires, suspensions, and nerves. People are also unhappy that the situation is unattended. They demand that the town officials for immediate action to fix the road and prevent it from getting worse.

Potholes, which are caused by the combination of weather fluctuations and traffic, have become a massive concern for New York State, with Saint James following suit. A recent thaw revealed more than the usual number of potholes, which put car owners in a really unpleasant situation. According to the American Automobile Association, the average cost of pothole-related vehicle repairs was $406 in 2023, and that was something many locals just couldn't look away from. In Saint James, this problem is not only about how much money you need to spend; it’s about safety, a sense of community, and the importance of the maintenance of infrastructure.

A 42-year-old nurse named Sarah Mitchell, traveling to and from Stony Brook University Hospital on a daily basis, outlined the problem in her personal practical case. “I got a flat tire on Moriches Road last month, and I had to spend $300 to repair the rim," she said. "How did potholes change my life for the worse? They are the ones who are the villains by making every drive of mine a nightmare. I keep a close eye on the road and forget about enjoyment,” remarked the woman. Her tale is not a rare one in the area of Saint James, where crumbling roads have given rise to a widespread source of daily irritation.

The issue is especially urgent during the early spring when the changes in temperature are the most detrimental to the roads. The snow, which the warmer weather allows to start melting, seeps into the cracks, and then the cracks expand when the temperature falls. Besides, the heavy rains along with the rise in traffic are contributing to the bad condition, especially for the local road, Route 25A, where some drivers are even risking their lives just to avoid obstacles. Mitchell also mentioned some of their friends who have had the same situation. They’ve had to change their directions abruptly to avoid potholes, and in doing so, they were just a few inches from causing a collision. "It's not money only, it's dangerous", Mitchell concluded.

Potholes are causing a lot of other problems that the local mechanics are trying to fix. Steven Bongiorno, a mechanic who is 55 years old and works at Saint James Auto Repair, has shared the view that 30% of his business this year is due to potholes that have destroyed vehicles. “Every day we fix flat tires, bent rims, and broken suspension parts,” Bongiorno said. “What do you suggest to the town? They definitely need a budget that only goes towards road maintenance and has faster response times. Only filling in the potholes in March will not be sufficient; they will have to start the worst roads all over again.” Drivers who got caught in these potholes at Woodlawn Avenue now come to the shop, which has turned into a repair destination for a variety of car damage.

Saint James, a community under the jurisdiction of the Town of Smithtown, has not been satisfied with the town in relation to the pothole plaguing the area. Lisa Brennan, a member of the town council, sympathizes with the situation but draws attention to the financial limit and the transportation difficulty. “Our resources are quite limited, and road renovations are very expensive,” stated Brennan. “What we want to do here is to get the state grants and work with contractors who can help us to take care of the most serious roads, such as Route 25A. However, obtaining citizens’ ideas is a must to find out where the intolerable condition is.” She suggests that locals notify the New York State Department of Transportation of existing potholes using the online portal to speed up the repair process.

Although the pothole problem is not a new one, the extent of the problem has grown. In February 2025, repairmen worked with a small winter thaw to fix potholes, but the residents claim that the mending is not permanent. “They fill the holes, but a week later, they’re back,” said Mitchell. “It’s like putting a Band-Aid on a broken leg.” The community is now advocating for water elimination systems and the resurfacing of the roads as long-term solutions to the problem.

What are the reasons for the severe impact on Saint James? According to specialists, there is a mix of factors: outdated infrastructure, a large number of vehicles of daily commuters and delivery trucks, and weather conditions that do not behave as expected. A central passage, Route 25A, stretching through Saint James, is the road where large numbers of vehicles can be found, especially during the day, because it is a busy route, making the roads take extra pressure. The fact that Saint James is close to Stony Brook and Smithtown only adds traffic. “We are a small community, but our roads are highly driven,” Bongiorno said. “The town should not wait until someone is gravely injured.”

Community awareness can be observed to be increasing as more people use the social network to let their neighbors know about potholes and other dangers on the roads. There are now local Facebook groups and X posts which act as venting spaces to let the citizens let off their steam and organize support. Suggestions have been made that the residents should create a neighborhood task force and collaborate with the municipality authorities in the same way as that done by the people of other regions. “If you like to stay mute, nothing changes,” Mitchell said. “The people are the ones who have to make the city fathers responsible.”

There is a reality regarding the economic impact that is far beyond the scope of denying. Besides the repair costs, potholes would literally double down the troubles as far as stopping traffic, the increase in fuel consumption, or the visitors’ withdrawal from the local area is concerned. The town center of Saint James abounds with nice shops and has been greatly supported by the opening of a new Italian restaurant, The Trattoria. But as the roads were full of potholes, most of the customers might be driven away. “I’ve had customers mentioning the bumpy ride to get here,” The Trattoria’s manager stated. “That’s not good for business either.”

So, what comes next for Saint James? Brennan informed the town is organizing a community meeting in June to discuss the renewal of infrastructure. Residents of the community are recommended to be present at the meeting to hear and to share what is on their minds. Meanwhile, drivers can go to the New York State DOT website or dial 511 to report potholes if they are aware of any. “We’re all ears,” Brennan said before adding, “However, it is essential for the residents to specify the exact location where the issues occur.”

The drivers in Saint James are still being careful for the time being as they are moving through their roads with caution. Nevertheless, the pothole issue is unlikely to be addressed in one day, but the growing consciousness and advocacy of the community are clear signs of hope that there will be fewer rough roads. According to Mitchell, "We certainly feel the love for Saint James—it is home. And we just want our roads to feel like home, too."