TAMPA, Fla., (WFLA) – The city of Tampa is improving drainage and flood resiliency in a South Tampa neighborhood.
This almost $7 million project will be along South Manhattan Avenue. City officials said they chose this area because they are not just getting flooded from hurricanes, but also during typical rainstorms.
The first phase of the project will include the construction of a new drainage system and the replacement of the existing pipes along South Manhattan Ave, from West Vasconia St. to West Obispo St.
“I know residents and business owners, in this particular neighborhood, have experienced these heavy rain occurrences, flooded streets, and we hear about it every time we have one of those severe rainstorms,” said Mayor Jane Castor.
The city will be installing stormwater pipes where there are none and increasing the size of the current ones, which will double the current capacity.
“To allow for a greater volume of stormwater to get from the street network and out into the bay through that box culvert in the Outfall that was previously built,” said Brandon Campbell, Interim Mobility Director.
The water will travel from the pipes into Spring Lake Outfall, and ultimately into the bay, to provide relief from typical Florida rainstorms.
While the mayor said relief is coming, there will be headaches for people in the neighborhood.
“They’re disruptive in neighborhoods, we have to dig up streets, we have to detour around, but in the end, these projects are going to provide relief for decades to come,” Castor said.
Some neighbors think it’s worth it.
“If they don’t have to ever deal with the flooding again, it’s worth a little bit of inconvenience,” said Nancy Ojea. “Especially for business owners and homeowners, they need to fix the streets and all the flooding and try to stop it.”
The city will keep one northbound lane of Manhattan open and said there will still be access to homes and businesses.
Construction will begin later in October and go through the majority of next year.
Want more insights? Join Working Title - our career elevating newsletter and get the future of work delivered weekly.
