When Stormdrains Become Hazards for Bicyclists

This may look like a street, but really it functions like an ephemeral stream that feeds rainwater runoff into Lake Carnegie through its stormdrains. 

Behold the well-designed and well-repaired storm drain. Well-designed because its openings are small enough to prevent cans, bottles, and most other litter from entering underground pipes that lead to Lake Carnegie. Well-maintained because it sits level with the pavement, and therefore won't snag a bicyclist's front wheel.

Hard to believe that, before repairs were done, this was the scene of a bicycle accident a couple years ago. I was arriving home when I saw a bicyclist lying on the grassy strip next to the road, his bicycle bent, his mouth bloodied. Storm drains tend to sink down over time, dipping below the level of the pavement until they become like potholes, treacherous for bicyclists trying to stay right to avoid traffic.

Here, you see? This one along Nassau Street is starting to sink down, already deep enough to be dangerous. In a town with thousands of storm drains, all gradually sinking, the elaborate operation of each repair keeps the public works department busy.