Manhole risers fit metropolitan community

Problem:

“We were having problems in the city with cast iron manhole risers,” says Samir Amin, P.E., Milwaukee’s engineer in charge. “They’re usually fine, but on occasion they would slip or rattle out, and that led to car damage and claims — there was definitely room for improvement.”

Solution:

Several years ago, Amin was approached by a representative from American Highway Products, who demonstrated the company’s adjustable riser, the Pivoted Turnbuckle Manhole Riser. These sturdy galvanized steel risers are precisely sized to order. Using a screwdriver as a lever, the turnbuckle transmits thousands of pounds of force to the flexible rim, seating the riser into the original utility rim securely. Installation typically takes five minutes or less. And unlike risers that depend on set screws or other mechanisms for adjustment, the pivoted turnbuckle riser connects tightly around its entire circumference, like a pressed-in bearing.

RESULT:

Costs didn’t go up. “Risers aren’t really a big item in most of our mill-and-fill bids, and I didn’t notice any significant increase in costs due to the required use of adjustable risers,” Amin says. By now, close to 1,000 are installed. Milwaukee has emphasized milling and repaving in recent years, and Amin estimates that between 200 to 300 risers are installed annually. And in all that time, none have rattled out or failed in any way. “They’re a successful product, and we’re very happy with them,” Amin says. “They cost a bit more compared to cast iron risers, but now we have no worries about them coming loose, and that means a lot.” 888-272-2397; www.ahp1.com 

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City relies on manhole replacement system to complete massive repair and restoration project

Problem:

Several years ago, the city of Ames, Iowa, began a massive-scale repair and restoration of its sanitary sewer system. The team was warned that with projects such as this, residents can get anxious when their street is shut down and the sewer is torn up, especially when the repairs drag on and on.

Solution:

In an effort to reduce the project’s timeline, materials, labor and overall costs, the city’s engineering team decided to use a Mr. Manhole cutter to complete the work.

RESULT:

The Mr. Manhole system transformed the way that Ames executed this large-scale project. The system is incredibly fast, and on a good day, depending on the depth of the rehab that was being done, contractors completed eight to 12 manholes. Everything was done quickly and efficiently with minimum impact to the public.

567-242-2221; www.mrmanhole.com