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Letter: Writer offers safer, cheaper solution for manholes

Letter writer says he may have a solution to annoying manholes around the city
Manhole_cover
Letter writer Joe Michelizza says he may have a solution to annoying manholes around the city. File photo.

Everyone hates manholes.

This is especially true when you hit a bad one while driving, and it is a fact that many are located right where you cannot avoid them.

These manholes are in need of constant maintenance. I believe there may be a solution to minimize the work required to raise these manholes.

Firstly, a metal plate should be installed flush on top of a metal ring or collar. 

Secondly, this ring or collar should be attached to the manhole with four adjustable bolts.

When the road surface heaves or lifts during winter, it seems to stay up, causing the manhole to become a speed bump.

Currently, the repair involves cutting the asphalt, removing the top section of the manhole, and building up the structure so that cover sits flush with the road, as it was when it was first installed.

My proposed solution would take 20 minutes. When the road surface lifts, and the manhole is too low, the ring or collar could be raised simply by turning the four bolts.

Imaging the savings.

No asphalt cutting, no excavation, no masonry repairs, no asphalt re-paving, and significantly less man hours and less wear and tear on our equipment.

This type of system would also minimize delays and traffic jams, and it would be much safer, as there would be less time spent by workers in dangerous traffic locations, and less chance of traffic collisions. Safer and cheaper.

Joe Michelizza
Garson