eli5 why are manhole covers in the middle of the road and not on the sidewalk?

Question

eli5 why are manhole covers in the middle of the road and not on the sidewalk?

In: 622

Answer 1

Utility locations vary widely based on jurisdiction. There are pros and cons to each layout configuration. The major draw back from placing sanitary in the middle of the street has to do with it being under paving. You then need to be worried about getting proper placement and compaction of the trench. If this doesn’t happen you compromise the pavement. I’ve always preferred to do my sanitary designs with sanitary on the edge of row placed in an easement.