Several motorists have encountered a difficult-to-see road hazard that has led to numerous flat tires along U.S. 31 in Cullman.

The dangerous section is a barely noticeable drainage culvert on the curb of the northbound lane of 31 just below Merchants Bank and Boozer Eyecare. The concrete guard is damaged and jagged.

The latest incident involving the area occurred Thursday night when a car’s front wheel scraped against it and tore a hole in it. The rear right wheel also was flattened.

As her son, Austin Twilley, put new tires on the car in the parking lot of Merchants Bank, Stephanie Williams said it was a wonder her boyfriend was not injured when he was driving the vehicle home from work.

“With the damage and that area, the car could have flipped or shot into another lane of traffic,” Williams said. “I know a man inside the bank told us this was the fourth time in about a week this has happened, and about 12 times in the last month.”

Williams said a City of Cullman employee gave her a contact number for the Alabama Department of Transportation to seek compensation for the damage to her tires.

Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs the side culvert had been damaged in the past and was repaired by ALDOT.

“Our Street Department employees have placed orange cones around the area for motorists to see as they approach,” Jacobs said. “We’ve asked ALDOT to repair it again. The area gets congested at times and if a car gets to close to it, it can cause a blow out.”

Jacobs said be believes large 18-wheelers that pass through the city are responsible for the recurring damage to the area.

“We started hearing about it again from people at the bank, because that’s where the drivers go to after the damage,”  Jacobs said. “It’s been a lot and we’re hoping this is fixed quickly. Until ALDOT gets to it, everyone needs to be very careful in the area where you see the cones.”

 

David Palmer may be contacted at 256-734-2131, ext. 116.