Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Guest Opinion: Overcoming evil with good ... Guest Opinion: We know what to do to prevent mass shootings ... Parts of Normal Neighborhood Plan approved ... Guest Opinion: Overcoming evil with good ... Guest Opinion: We know what to do to prevent mass shootings ... Parts of Normal Neighborhood Plan approved ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Manholes can give you a wake-up jolt Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted May. 2, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted May. 2, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Did you ever wonder why the city street manhole covers (or maybe that's person hole covers now) always seem to be placed in the traffic lanes so that your right or left (or both) wheels go right over the top of them? For instance, northbound Crater Lake Avenue between McAndrews and Roberts and westbound Cedar Links between Rosewood and Springbrook ... just to name a couple. I guess the covers have to be directly over the storm sewer or other line they are accessing. Which begs the question: Why are the sewer lines laid out where they are? Wouldn't you think the design engineers could see this and adjust the lines to the center of the lane for straddling? — Bill, by email Bill, we would add to your short list East Main Street, east of Bear Creek, where more than a few drivers can be seen playing a variation of dodgeball, called dodgehole. Indeed, it can seem like the manhole covers in some spots have been placed specifically to catch your tires and give you a jolt. Cory Crebbin, Medford's public works director, says some of what you're seeing dates back to times long before any of us were around and are the legacy of street and underground pipe engineers of those days gone by. It's not financially practical to move all those manholes, which, as you surmised, must be directly over the pipe. Some manholes may have been moved into the tire line by changes such as the addition of bike lanes to a street, but Crebbin says those changes also sometimes move the manholes out of the way. Good news, though, Bill. The current standard for the city, which has been in place since 1999, is to do just as you suggest — place the manholes in the center of the lane so they can be straddled by vehicle tires. So while the existing bumps in the road aren't likely to go away anytime soon, the city is working to avoid adding any additional jolts to your daily commute. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted May. 2, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501