City replaces sewer grates with safer ones
Updated: February 15, 2013
CHAMPAIGN -- The city is trying to be more bike-friendly so it's replacing old sewer grates with ones that are a little safer. The old sewer grates are slotted. And the city's public works officials said bike-riders can get their tires stuck in them.
That's why they're replacing them with new ones. They have oval-shaped openings. Those are supposed to be safer for bikes traveling near them. City leaders said they haven't seen too many injuries from sewer grates in the past, but they're trying to be proactive. Workers have replaced 245 grates already.
They started with ones near bike paths. Many of those were around Campustown and in northern Champaign. The city spent about $23,000 for the new grates, but were able to get $6,000 back. So that means they spent just less than $70 for each one so far. City leaders say this project will take time to complete. There are about 16,000 total inlets around the city.
That's why they're replacing them with new ones. They have oval-shaped openings. Those are supposed to be safer for bikes traveling near them. City leaders said they haven't seen too many injuries from sewer grates in the past, but they're trying to be proactive. Workers have replaced 245 grates already.
They started with ones near bike paths. Many of those were around Campustown and in northern Champaign. The city spent about $23,000 for the new grates, but were able to get $6,000 back. So that means they spent just less than $70 for each one so far. City leaders say this project will take time to complete. There are about 16,000 total inlets around the city.
