Aberdeen, South Dakota, recently made a smart call with its street budget. When a planned Main Street project was shelved, the city put the $200,000 it had set aside toward fixing manhole covers across town, going after the bumps drivers hit every day.
The Aberdeen News covered the program in August 2026, and we were glad to see Jet Line Sales mentioned. The city’s Street Department needed an alternative to traditional concrete grade rings, which could not be used on many of its problem covers. It chose a lightweight expanded polypropylene ring system, which we supplied locally and helped introduce with on-site training during the first installations.
Why crews like polypropylene grade rings
Compared with concrete rings, the composite system is much lighter, so crews face less risk of lifting injuries. Installs go faster, the rings fit sloped road surfaces more precisely, and they are built for long-term durability. After the first demonstrations, Aberdeen’s own crews took the work over and turned it into an efficient in-house operation. About 60 manholes have been repaired so far, mostly on asphalt streets and some on concrete.
What’s next for Aberdeen
The city plans to start rehabilitating deteriorated masonry manhole structures below the streets next year, in addition to continued cover repairs.
Is your city or contractor dealing with sunken or rough manholes? Contact Jet Line Sales & Service and we can talk through products and on-site training.
Source: Aberdeen News, “Aberdeen uses redirected funds to replace manhole covers, smooth bumps,” by A.J. Kaufman, Aug. 6, 2026.