By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Most Hays residents are very happy when it rains.
But the past few weeks have brought multiple inches of rain falling hard and fast, causing flooding in portions of Hays on July 6.
These most recent rainstorms, on top of late spring rains, have also resulted in some messy alleys.
Public Works Director Jesse Rohr is well aware of the less than ideal conditions and says his employees are working to improve the situation.
“The stormwater and flooding have washed and eroded many of city’s alleys and they require maintenance, some more than others,” Rohr said Tuesday. “Public work staff is working on the alleys as schedules allow and will continue to do so over the next several months. The worst alleys are at the top of the priority list and will be worked on first.”
This work is in addition to the department’s annual alley maintenance program concentrated in in the fall and winter months.
“Our solid waste crews obviously use the alleys every day so they’re letting us know where they have difficulties getting through the alleys and we’ll address the worst of them. Eventually, we’ll get to all of them again,” Rohr declared.
“There’s also a lot of people who use alleys for rear-yard access to get to their detached garages in the back. And, a lot of alleys have utilities in them – electric, gas, phone, communications – and the utility companies need to get back there.
“The alleys do get a fair amount of traffic in them so they need to be accessible to the best extent possible.”
Alleys susceptible to erosion have a soil base with a limestone rock or crushed concrete topping. In many areas of Hays, alleys convey stormwater.
“That’s led to erosion in certain areas, typically along the sides,” Rohr explained. “After heavy rains, a lot of the aggregate on top of the alley will wash into the streets.” The city will move the rock topping back onto the alleys and rectify the erosion, all of which requires a motor grader.
“We still have other projects on the schedule,” Rohr noted, “so we appreciate the public’s patience and understanding. Please know that the conditions of the alleys will improve as additional time can be devoted to their maintenance.”
Residents with questions or concerns should call the Hays Public Works Department at 785-628-7350.