By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Alley collection of trash and recyclables in Hays will resume April 8.

The city implemented a temporary curbside-only pickup March 18 due to deteriorated conditions in alleys caused by snow, frost and rain.

“We had trash trucks getting stuck and some areas were completely impassible for a period of time,” said Jesse Rohr, public works director. “That forced us to go curbside for a short period of time. However, we’ll get back to normal collections starting Monday.”

Two crews have spent the last two and half weeks improving the alleys. The majority of the work has been completed and Rohr expects it to be done next week. Ongoing alley maintenance will continue for the next couple of months.

A road grader and a tractor with a box plate on the back are being used to smooth out tire ruts, “knocking the ruts down and getting the rock back on the surface of the alleys that has been driven below the surface,” Rohr explained. Rock is also being added to the alleys.

During the temporary change in pickup sites, some blue polycarts were not moved by residents from alley to curbside and the bins are overflowing, with more trash bags on the ground.

Rohr says communicating notice of the temporary change to 7,000 refuse customers was a “big challenge on short notice.”

“People who call who say they weren’t aware of it and their trash is full, we’re going and taking care of it. Just like if they say they need assistance moving their cart, we’re helping with that.”

As workers have seen overflowing polycarts and blue bags for recycling still in alleys the past three weeks, they’ve also taken care of those.

“Our solid waste crews have done a great job,” Rohr added.