Paradise opts for ‘adjustable’ manholes
By Mark Squibb
Paradise council is hoping the purchase of $22,000 worth of adjustable manholes for Topsail Road will save money in maintenance costs down the road.
During last week’s meeting, Deputy Mayor Kimberley Street explained the current 2024 street maintenance contract accounts for the cost of raising manholes along Topsail Road. This is typically done by excavating and pouring concrete to raise the manhole cover. The road surface around the manhole would then be closed to traffic until the concrete cures.
Another option, however, is the use of adjustable manhole covers.
“Mueller adjustable manhole covers are becoming the standard product of choice for municipalities because they allow for easy height adjustment to match the surrounding pavement surface, which may be necessary for a number of reasons,” said Street. “Using the adjustable manhole covers on this job will allow the work on Topsail Road to be completed much more quickly, with less disruption to traffic, and will continue to provide benefits for future maintenance work along Topsail Road.”
Council approved the purchase of 10 adjustable manholes at a cost of $1,950 per manhole, less HST, for a total cost of $22,425, payable to Farrell’s Excavating Ltd.
As work was scheduled to start along Topsail Road August 19, staff recommended council vote via email to expediate the approval rather than wait for the next public meeting. Council did so on August 14, and unanimously approved the purchase, which it then ratified at last week’s public meeting.
“As Deputy Mayor Street said, the traditional process is pretty laborious,” noted councillor Glen Carew, “and the Mueller adjustable manholes can be adjusted and be re-used.”
Carew said he asked staff whether the Town should expect to be credited for any of the work that was contracted but will no longer be completed and was told the Town could be credited upwards of $600 per manhole once the work is completed.
Repairs along Topsail Road will be ongoing until August 29.