Homeowner Claims Project To Fix Drainage Made It Worse
By: Jocelyn Tovar, KARK 4 NEWS
Updated: December 3, 2012
Drainage issues on Inglewood street in Russellville have been a concern.
Which is why the Arkansas Highway Department gave the city federal dollars, more than a million, to fix it.
"They assured me if I had any problem," said Judy Hansen, "Between the state and the city, that they would take care of it. They have ignored me."
Hansen said before the project her yard was level with the street, but now it sits feet below street level.
She said a recent drainage project has turned her home and yard into the street's drain.
"I had to build all these flower boxes here because the first rain came and water went to my crawl space a foot high," she said.
Hansen said she has spent thousands on sod to soak up the runoff that resembles a mudslide.
We spoke with the project's contractor "Bowden Specialties," the company said the area has been inspected by the Highway Department and met the required standards.
But Hansen questions the testing, "He went and dropped a few drops of water on the sidewalk," she said.
So who's responsible?
The city's public works department said the issue now rests on the Highway Department which said it's the responsibility of the contractor.
"They're trying to pass the buck!" said Hansen, "Nobody wants to take responsibility for this."
She told KARK she didn't know where to turn with this issue after her attempts to sue the contractor were unsuccessful.
Which is why the Arkansas Highway Department gave the city federal dollars, more than a million, to fix it.
"They assured me if I had any problem," said Judy Hansen, "Between the state and the city, that they would take care of it. They have ignored me."
Hansen said before the project her yard was level with the street, but now it sits feet below street level.
She said a recent drainage project has turned her home and yard into the street's drain.
"I had to build all these flower boxes here because the first rain came and water went to my crawl space a foot high," she said.
Hansen said she has spent thousands on sod to soak up the runoff that resembles a mudslide.
We spoke with the project's contractor "Bowden Specialties," the company said the area has been inspected by the Highway Department and met the required standards.
But Hansen questions the testing, "He went and dropped a few drops of water on the sidewalk," she said.
So who's responsible?
The city's public works department said the issue now rests on the Highway Department which said it's the responsibility of the contractor.
"They're trying to pass the buck!" said Hansen, "Nobody wants to take responsibility for this."
She told KARK she didn't know where to turn with this issue after her attempts to sue the contractor were unsuccessful.
