Dips in some Pueblo streets raise concern but explained by public works director
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Some older neighborhoods have streets that were built before current construction standards required storm drains to be closer together than they are now.
To convey that drainage, the older streets have "cross pans" — concrete surfaces that transport water across intersections until it enters a storm drain.
That creates two intersection concerns: An increase of water that can cause minor flooding during heavy rainstorms; and "dips" where the cross pans are lower that the adjacent streets and create a bumpy up—and-down effect.
Several intersections on Jerry Murphy Road, south of Highway 47, are well-known by neighbors for the dips.
"I'm a lifelong Pueblo resident," said Theresa Tristano. "I've lived on Jerry Murphy. I've lived in my parents' house, so I've been here 56 years. And yes, they (bumps) are definitely a problem. People go so fast, they hit them, sometimes they lose control and end up in other peoples' yards, it's hard to turn i n and out of your driveway."
Arnold Bernal, another longtime neighbor, agrees.
"I'm sure a lot of people are expecting them to be repaired sooner or later," he said. "They've just driven on this street for many years, and it's been the same."
But Andrew Hayes, Pueblo's public works director, said that the dips won't be going away anytime soon.
"Over time, we do look at those things," he explained. "If there's an issue, or if pavement elevations have changed over time, that kind of stuff. When we go back into repair work on those projects, we'll look at those cross pans for damage, or make any other changes that might need to be done in order to accommodate traffic. But it's not high on the priority list at the moment. If there are specific issues people are having, I haven't heard anything about them."
Hayes said that the dips shouldn't be a problem as long as drivers obey the 30 mph speed limit, and drivers are aware of signs posted to alert them to the dips.
