Over the past few weeks, construction crews have been working on South Diamond head Boulevard near Spinnaker Drive (Manhole #1) and on Handspike Way near Golf Club Drive (Manhole #2). The work being done by the crews has been for the Newport MU D’s Sanitary Sewer Phase 1 Rehabilitation project to rehabilitate the sanitary lines and manholes.
The two manholes that were included in this rehabilitation project were severely deteriorated from sewer gases and high sewer flows from the force mains. Parts of both manholes were in critical condition with some of the concrete walls being completely eroded away. Where the portions of the concrete wall were missing, dirt and sand were the only things preventing the manholes and roadways from collapsing, causing concern.