Delays continue for sinkhole repair in Manitou Springs
The business loop through Manitou Springs remains closed because of damage to the culvert caused by recent flooding.
Manitou Avenue will be closed at Ruxton Avenue until September 21, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
The sinkhole repair project runs between the crosswalks. Recent floods compromised the culvert underneath Ruxton Avenue.
“The large culvert is what’s called a clean water diversion. We’re picking up the water that’s coming from Ruxton Creek, we’re carrying it and bypassing it over the work we’re performing,” said David Watt with CDOT. “You can see the start of the floor that we are forming up soon. The water you seen down here will be pumped into a tank and taken off site.”
The sinkhole caused extensive damage. The repairs are costing tax payers about half-a-million dollars.
“The box culvert has been built many decades ago and so we need to replace the box culvert,” said Watt.
Business owners along Manitou Avenue were hopeful a business access sign would help direct more customers since it’s peak season, but many say that’s not the case.
“Our business is down 70 percent since they started construction on the sinkhole,” said Jessica Walton.
Her family has owned The Kitchen Restaurant for four years and now they’re open on Mondays in hopes to make up for the missing cash flow.
“We normally have a backed house at this time of day and it’s been a struggle to get people in here,” said Walton.
D & D Liquor is also seeing fewer customers on Mondays. A day that was usually busy day for them.
“This is our tourist time and we haven’t been very busy. I’d say we are 50 percent down in business” said Debbie Carley.
Debbie’s business was dead for hours until a man walked in around 2:30 p.m. on Monday to buy a six pack of Bud Light.
“We don’t have anybody, right [on] this block,” said Carley.
Business owners want to remind visitors the sidewalks west of Ruxton Avenue are open for anyone traveling by foot.
The repairs are being paid through the Transportation Contingency Funds.
