We’ll Be on the Lakeside Section of the Lakewalk this Month

What’s round and heavy and about to be reinforced with a minimally invasive procedure? YEAH! It’s our Lakeside Interceptor manholes between 47th Ave E. and 41st Ave E.

WLSSD’s Lakeside Interceptor runs beneath the Lakewalk in that stretch, ducking down a bit into the neighborhood near 44th Ave. E. The Lakeside Interceptor was installed in the late 60s and carries wastewater from as far north as Knife River all the way to our treatment plant at 27th Ave W.

WLSSD contractors will begin Monday, September 20 to rehabilitate the manholes, ensuring safe and reliable means to access the pipeline below.  Manholes take a beating in our climate, between freeze thaw cycles and snowplow blades, so manhole inspection and rehab is a regularly scheduled activity to keep things flowing in our community.

The best part about this project is how slick it is expected to go- the manholes are being reinforced using a no-dig technique called Monoform, so there will not be excavating or dirt work, and the Lakewalk can remain open during the duration of work. Each manhole is expected to take 2-3 days to complete, and there are 13 of them getting spiffed up. Crews essentially pour a new manhole inside the existing one, and do it all under live flow conditions so sewer service is not interrupted. Check out the tool they’ll be using– Mr. Manhole. It’s cool!

There are a few residents that are directly impacted – crews may access a manhole near private property- and those folks have been visited to talk details. For the rest of us, keep an eye out for barriers and signs and continue to enjoy the summer’s slow fade!