Indianapolis is battening down the hatches to protect Super Bowl fans descending on the city for the Feb. 5 game.

Indianapolis Power & Light has spent nearly $200,000 to replace 150 manhole covers in the Super Bowl village and in other high-traffic areas after a series of underground explosions last year turned the covers into dangerous projectiles that damaged cars.

The new covers can be locked for security reasons and lift a couple inches off the ground in case of an explosion before falling back into place. Utility officials say that's enough to vent gas without feeding in oxygen that could make an explosion bigger.

The city also plans to sweep Lucas Oil Stadium for nuclear threats and will have up to 1,000 city police officers on hand.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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