An area of lower German Alley where the street was dug up by Black Hills Energy to provide gas service to a new home has proven to be hazardous to motorists and pedestrians. The portion of the street where the pavement was removed is very steep and ruts developed, then gravel scattered across the street. This past Thursday, a prominent Eureka Springs artist fell and broke her leg after slipping on the gravel while walking down the street. She was transported by ambulance to the hospital.
Susie Allen, who operates the Rose of Sharon Cottage, a nightly tourist lodging establishment at the end of German Alley where it connects with Cliff St., said she has been trying to get the road fixed for several weeks. Allen also fell on the loose gravel. While not seriously injured, she was concerned with the safety of her guests and others either walking or driving up or down the street.
Allen said she asked the city to stop putting gravel in the holes because vehicles going up or down the streets were spinning the gravel all over the road, making it treacherous to people walking up or down the street.
And after the holes were dug out by traffic, people’s vehicles were being damaged when they bottomed out on the ruts.
Eureka Springs Public Works Director Dwayne Allen said the road cut on German Alley was done by Black Hills Energy without a permit.
“They were required to repair the area by pouring concrete and had agreed to do so last week,” Allen said. “We filled the cut with base and have swept the area between rains. Their crew postponed the repair and did not give me a set time. So, the city will repair the street and charge the utility. Black Hills has hired a sub-contractor for several jobs in this area, and they are now aware of our requirements. Asphalt will not hold because of the slope of the street and will be a waste of funding. However, if there are any more delays, we will temporarily asphalt the area.”
Tuesday morning German Alley was closed off, and a crew appeared to be starting to repair the road with concrete.