What are those mysterious tubes along the Rail Trail?

The latest installment of The Ledger's 'You Ask, We Answer' feature

The following article appeared in the August 9, 2024, edition of The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with smart and original local news for Charlotte. We offer free and paid subscription plans. More info here.

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You Ask, We Answer: A reader discovers tubes during her walk. The Ledger investigates.

Welcome to the latest installment of “You Ask, We Answer,” the often imitated but never duplicated Charlotte Ledger feature in which readers share their burning 🔥 questions about Charlotte and we use our reporting superpowers to answer them.

Today’s question comes from Ledger reader Alexis, who is an avid walker on the Charlotte Rail Trail in South End and noticed something that seemed out of place.

Her question:

Random question from a curious Charlotte Rail Trail walker for you all! 

I have walked by this for years on the Rail Trail in South End next to MAA Reserve [an apartment complex] and have not ever looked into it but thought it might be interesting to have you find out more about.

Here are some pictures of these what I think are overflow sewer pipes? Tubes? I’m not sure what they are called.

They will vary in fullness but would really love for them to be removed one day as they have been here for probably 5 years at least now. 

Alexis, thanks for the question!