Problem: Dips, raises and cracking in the streets of Elmira, New York, especially in the areas surrounding manholes, were garnering some bad press. Craig Southard, senior engineer for Elmira, hoped to find a solution that would also increase the life span of the pavement and make maintenance of city streets less labor-intensive. 

Solution: Southard learned about SELFLEVEL access assemblies from EJ and ordered seven units. Judson Street, a street that would receive heavy traffic as the detour route for a major city thoroughfare, was selected as the test site. The SELFLEVEL eliminates steps that are par for the course with a typical one-frame assembly, such as measuring to ensure the frame lines up with the existing curb line, and shimming the frame to match the pitch of the road. The immediate result after installation is a smooth street. Even after a winter of continual freeze-thaw cycles, the street will remain smooth as the covers move with frost heaves to match the pitch in the road. The unit can be used for either new installations or retrofits. 

Result: “It will save us money long-term, and will save us on maintenance, too,” Southard says. “It’s definitely a labor reduction internally of at least 50 percent. There’s also no need for extension rings.” 

800-626-4653; www.ejco.com