construction update 08.30.11
The Northwest Hillsborough Pipeline Project is nearing completion as crews work
on restoring areas affected by construction and on flushing the pipeline to prepare
it for service.
Paving at Fawn Ridge Boulevard and Gonzalez Lake Road is complete,
and permanent pavement markings have been placed on the Upper Tampa Bay Trail.
Remaining work includes restoration along Gonzalez Lake Road,
planting and permanent pavement striping at the Fawn Ridge entrance.
After flushing, the pipeline will be disinfected. The project
is expected to be fully completed by the end of September.
construction update 06.30.11
The directional drilling operation and pipe installation under Fawn Ridge
Boulevard and Sheldon Road is complete. The drilling contractor is now
demobilizing to remove heavy machinery and equipment from the area. The area is
still considered an active construction site, so residents and children should
avoid the area. The area will be barricaded from public access until
demobilization and restoration is complete.
In the coming weeks, crews will work to connect the newly installed
pipeline segment to previously installed segments. After pressure testing and
flushing, the pipeline will be placed in service.
The project remains on schedule to be completed at the end of July.
construction update 05.31.11
Crews worked through the weekend to continue the directional drilling
operations from the west side of Fawn Ridge Boulevard to the east side of
Sheldon Road. Directional drilling creates a small tunnel under the roadways
through which the pipe segments will be pulled into place.
Motorists should watch for periodic lane closures on northbound
Sheldon Road near Gonzalez Lake Road over the next several weeks.
The project remains on schedule for final restoration to be
completed by the end of July.
construction update 05.04.11
Pipe installation on the Northwest Hillsborough Pipeline Project is nearing
completion. The contractor is preparing to install the last segment via tunnel
from the west side of Fawn Ridge Boulevard to the east side of Sheldon Road.
Tunneling allows the pipe to be installed under roadways without impacting
traffic.
Pipe is already being staged in the area and the contractor is on
site preparing for directional drill tunneling operations, which will begin in
mid-May and are expected to be completed by mid-June.
The contractor has also made progress in restoring the Fawn Ridge
Boulevard area by sodding and seeding affected areas and repairing sidewalks.
Pressure testing continues on the pipeline to detect and repair any
leaking joints before the pipeline is placed in service this summer. Final
restoration in all areas will be done before the project is completed at the end
of July.
construction update 04.07.11
From approximately 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Monday, April 11, the following
sections of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail will be closed:
• Street level trail at Gunn Highway and Citrus Park Lane
• Trail overpass at Gunn Highway.
This temporary trail closure is needed to protect public safety as
the contractor restores the Upper Tampa Bay Trail next to the Gunn Highway
overpass. During this time, workers will be paving the street level trail and
doing initial paving on Citrus Park Lane, which will be fully restored when
Gonzalez Lake Drive is repaved.
Work is now moving to Fawn Ridge Boulevard and Sheldon Road, where
the contractor is preparing to install a pipeline segment via tunnel from the
west side of Fawn Ridge Boulevard to the east side of Sheldon Road. This work is
scheduled for early May.
construction update 04.01.11
Work on the Northwest Hillsborough Pipeline Project continues with an
anticipated completion date of early June.
The contractor has finished tunneling under Gunn Highway at the
Upper Tampa Bay Trail overpass. Over the next two weeks, workers will be
restoring the street-level trail next to the overpass as well as Citrus Park
Lane. Workers will restore landscaping, paving, curbs and striping to
pre-construction conditions.
After the pipeline segment under Gunn Highway is pressure tested and
the area is restored, work will move to Fawn Ridge Boulevard and Sheldon Road.
In early May, the contractor will install a pipeline segment via tunnel from the
west side of Fawn Ridge Boulevard to the east side of Sheldon Road. In the
meantime, the contractor has been working in the area to place a permanent patch
in the roadway and restore some sidewalks and landscaping. The rest will be
completed at final restoration after the tunnel is complete and heavy equipment
is removed from the area.
construction update 03.17.11
Based on the contractor’s most recent schedule, the Northwest Hillsborough
Pipeline Project will not be complete until early June.
Work on the remaining road crossings continue, though the
anticipated start and completion dates have changed. The contractor is currently
tunneling under Gunn Highway near the Upper Tampa Bay Trail overpass and will be
working through the weekend. Once the tunnel is complete, pipe will be installed
in the tunnel and connected to the segments of pipeline that have already been
installed.
In May, after the tunnel at Gunn Highway is complete, work will move
to Fawn Ridge Boulevard and Sheldon Road. The Fawn Ridge Boulevard crossing
started last October, but did not go as planned as water infiltrated the area,
which caused damage to the roadway pavement in the center median. Now, instead
of two separate tunnels under each of the roads, the contractor will bore a
longer single tunnel spanning from the west side of Fawn Ridge Boulevard to the
east side of Sheldon Road.
While tunneling has been delayed, Tampa Bay Water is working with
the contractor and Hillsborough County on a plan to restore sidewalks and
landscaping prior to the tunneling work. That plan includes a permanent patch to
the damaged roadway by the end of this month. Repaving and striping will occur
at the end of the project.
Tampa Bay Water extends its apologies to the Northwest Hillsborough
community for this delay. Please know we will continue close coordination with
the contractor to complete the project as soon as possible.
construction update 02.16.11
Tampa Bay Water’s contractors are working hard to complete the Northwest
Hillsborough Pipeline Project by the April completion date.
Work is now focused on completing the remaining road crossings and
at Hillsborough County’s Northwest Hillsborough Potable Water Treatment
Facility. Dewatering equipment is currently being installed at Gunn Highway and
Citrus Park Lane. Dewatering equipment will be placed on the north and south
sides of Gunn Highway and in the median. Periodic, temporary lane closures are
possible, so motorists should be watchful when driving in the area. Toward the
end of February, after about two weeks of dewatering, crews will begin
excavating pits on each side of Gunn Highway into which a tunnel boring machine
will be placed. The construction areas will be restricted from public access;
residents are encouraged to maintain a safe distance from the tunneling pits.
At the Northwest Hillsborough Potable Water Treatment Plant, crews
continue working on above-ground and underground piping that connects the
facility to Tampa Bay Water’s regional system. Yard piping is being installed
beginning this week and a foundation is being laid for a new building.
construction update 02.02.11
Crews have detected a leak in a connection pipe near the east side of the
Upper Tampa Bay Trail, approximately 600 feet south of the Gunn Highway
overpass. Dewatering equipment is in place near the trail; dewatering will
continue through the weekend in anticipation of excavating the area for repairs.
The trail will remain open, but barricades and warning signs are in place. Trail
users should use caution in the area of equipment and repair work.
Dewatering at Gunn Highway and Citrus Park Lane has been delayed. An
update will be issued as soon as the revised schedule is confirmed.
construction update 01.21.11
With the holidays behind us, visible activities on the Northwest Hillsborough
Pipeline Project have resumed. Dewatering at Gunn Highway and Citrus Park Lane
will begin on Monday, Jan. 24, 2011, and is expected to last about two weeks.
Dewatering equipment will be placed on the north and south sides of Gunn Highway
and in the median. Periodic, temporary lane closures are possible, so motorists
should be watchful when driving in the area.
Contractors are finalizing plans for the pipeline crossing under
Fawn Ridge Boulevard and Sheldon Road, and a construction update will be issued
as soon as crossing plans are approved.
Within the next two weeks, crews will also be working on the east
side of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail, approximately 600 feet south of the Gunn
Highway overpass. The trail is expected to remain open during this time.
However, trail users should use caution near excavation equipment and workers.
The overall project remains on schedule to be completed in April
2011.
construction update 12.10.10
While pressure testing the Northwest Hillsborough Pipeline, crews detected a
possible leak in a small-diameter connection between the main pipeline and a
blow-off assembly. The blow-off assembly is on the east side of the Upper Tampa
Bay Trail, approximately 600 feet south of the Gunn Highway overpass.
Crews will be working in this area next week. Workers will begin by
dewatering the area on Monday, then excavate a portion of the connector pipe and
make any necessary repairs.
The trail is expected to remain open during this time. However,
trail users should use caution near excavation equipment and workers.
Dewatering at Fawn Ridge Boulevard and Sheldon Road continue in
December to maintain favorable construction conditions in anticipation of
installing pipeline under these roads in early 2011. Once the plans for these
crossings are finalized, an update will be issued to notify residents of any
lane closures.
construction update 12.1.10
Northwest Hillsborough Pipeline construction throughout December includes
clean-up and restoration work. Crews are sodding and replacing fencing in the
area of Gonzalez Lake Road and the Upper Tampa Bay Trail.
Dewatering at Fawn Ridge Boulevard and Sheldon Road is expected to
continue in December to maintain favorable construction conditions in
anticipation of installing pipeline under these roads in early 2011. The
contractor is finalizing crosswalk-tunneling plans for approval by the project
team and Hillsborough County. Once the plans are approved, an update will be
issued to notify residents of any lane closures.
The contractor is also preparing to build infrastructure at the Fawn
Ridge and Cosme water treatment plants to support expansion of the regional
network to the Northwest Hillsborough area.
construction update 11.3.10
The closed section of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail re-opened on Saturday, Oct.
30, 2010. A small section of trail next and under the overpass will remain
closed through early 2011 as construction continues on the north and south sides
of Gunn Highway. Trail users can safely pass this construction area by using the
trail overpass.
Manhattan Drive is now open and all lanes of Gunn Highway are open
northbound north of Citrus Park Drive.
Northwest Hillsborough Pipeline installation is nearly complete,
with the exception of road crossings.
construction update 10.28.10
Paving along the closed section of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail is nearly
complete. Crews will finish paving and place sod this week in anticipation of
re-opening the trail by Saturday.
However, a small section of the trail next to the overpass on Citrus
Park Lane and the crosswalk beneath the overpass will remain closed through
early 2011. This section is closed due to construction on the north and south
sides of Gunn Highway to install a section of the pipeline via tunnel. Tunneling
minimizes traffic impacts, but does require specialized construction techniques,
including excavating a tunnel shaft on both sides of the road under the trail
overpass. Trail users can safely pass this construction area by using the trail
overpass.
The Northwest Hillsborough Pipeline was successfully tied in to
Tampa Bay Water's regional system at Manhattan Drive. Until paving is completed
in this area, Manhattan will remain closed, and Gunn Highway will remain one
lane northbound north of Citrus Park Drive. Motorists can continue accessing the
Manhattan Park neighborhood via Edgemere Road.
construction update 10.22.10
Construction crews continue preparing to tie in the Northwest Hillsborough
Pipeline to Tampa Bay Water’s regional system at Manhattan Drive. The
specialized connection piece is due to be delivered this week, and construction
crews are planning to work over the weekend to ensure timely connection.
Manhattan Drive is currently closed, and Gunn Highway is one lane northbound
north of Citrus Park Drive through the intersection at Manhattan. Motorists can
access the Manhattan Park neighborhood via Edgemere Road.
Paving and restoration along the Upper Tampa Bay Trail will begin
this week and proceed in sections. However, the Trail remains closed through
Oct. 29 to ensure the asphalt has time to cure and to ensure public safety as
Hillsborough County conducts trail maintenance north of Gardner Road.
construction update 10.14.10
The most important component of the Northwest Hillsborough Pipeline Project
is the tie-in to Tampa Bay Water’s regional system at Manhattan Drive. The
fabricated, specialized connection piece required for the connection is due to
be delivered in the next two weeks.
The contractor will install the connection piece where the Trail
meets Manhattan Drive, so Manhattan Drive east of Gunn Highway will be closed
for several days. During that time, motorists will see some changes in traffic
patterns:
- Motorists can enter the Manhattan Park neighborhood from Gunn Highway via Edgemere Road
- Northbound motorists along Gunn Highway will encounter a traffic impact as the outer right hand and through lane will be close at Manhattan Drive
- All traffic along Gunn Highway will be funneled into the left hand turn lane before proceeding north after passing through the traffic signal at Manhattan Drive
We will notify residents as soon as the date of these detours is known. Pipeline installation on the south end of Citrus Park Lane is complete. Work continues on the south end of closed section of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail.
construction update 10.6.10
Motorists who use Fawn Ridge Boulevard should use caution near barricades in the painted median where a hole has been temporarily filled and patched. We apologize for the inconvenience and are working with Hillsborough County and our contractors to expedite work on this area. We will notify residents as soon as a work plan and schedule are developed.
On the Upper Tampa Bay Trail section, Tampa Bay Water extends its thanks to those who continue to patiently await the re-opening section that remains closed due to pipeline construction. Contractors continue to work diligently in this section and remain on schedule. Base material has been placed on the trail from Manhattan Drive to the north side of Gunn Highway. Sod has been placed in the drainage ditches from Edgemere Road north to Manhattan. Workers are now mobilizing on Citrus Park Lane, one lane of which is closed.
All construction areas are restricted from public access and are clearly marked with caution tape, safety fences or barricades. Residents can help ensure safety by maintaining a safe distance from construction areas and by discouraging children from approaching construction sites.
construction update 9.29.10
Northwest Hillsborough Pipeline installation continues on schedule. Along the Upper Tampa Bay Trail, the pipeline has been installed from Manhattan Drive south to Gunn Highway. Edgemere Road is scheduled to reopen late this week with temporary pavement in place. Crews are now working to install pipe at the southern end of the trail closure and are heading north toward Gunn Highway. One lane of Citrus Park Lane will be closed once construction reaches this area.
In the coming weeks, crews will be preparing to tunnel under Fawn Ridge Road, Sheldon Boulevard and Gunn Highway.
construction update 9.22.10
Tunnel casing installation under Easy Street was completed a day ahead of schedule. However, one tunnel pit will remain open until the pipe is installed in the casing at a later date. Please continue to use caution and avoid the tunnel pit area.
construction update 9.21.10
Construction crews are digging tunnel pits on both sides of Easy Street where the pipeline route will cross. The tunnel casing pipe will be installed under Easy Street on Wednesday, Sept. 22 so that the pipe may be installed in the tunnel at a later date. The tunnel pits will be blocked off with barricades and fencing. For safety, residents should avoid the construction site and tunnel pits. Easy Street will remain open during the tunnel operation.
There are 37 days remaining on the Upper Tampa Bay Trail Closure as of Wednesday, Sept. 22. All pipe deliveries have been made and pipe installation along the trail continues on schedule. Residents may see construction crews working on the weekends.
The contractor is preparing to install the dewatering system under Sheldon Road at Gonzalez Lake Road for tunneling later. Local traffic to Gonzalez Lake Road will be detoured in the coming weeks.
construction update 9.14.10
Pipe installation along the Upper Tampa Bay Trail at Manhattan Drive began this week and is proceeding south. The Upper Tampa Bay Trail will remain closed from Manhattan Drive to Gardner Road until Oct. 29, 2010.
Pipe installation is continuing from the east end of Gonzalez Lake Road toward Easy Street. Crews will be restoring Gonzalez Lake Road in the coming weeks.
construction update 9.7.10
Gonzalez Lake Road is now open at Sheldon Road, so the temporary access via Easy Street has been closed.
Crews continue to prepare the Upper Tampa Bay Trail section of the pipeline route for construction. Tree trimming and trail asphalt removal are complete. The contractor is now installing dewatering in preparation for trench digging.
For the safety of the public and the construction crew, the trail is closed from Gardner Road north to Manhattan Drive. Contractors have placed barricades, fencing and signs on both ends of the closure. Bicyclists, runners and other trail users are prohibited from entering the construction area.
Dewatering at Fawn Ridge Boulevard and Sheldon Road is on hold.
construction update 9.1.10
The Upper Tampa Bay Trail, including the overpass at Citrus Park Drive, is now closed. Contractors have placed barricades, fencing and signs on both ends of the closure. Bicyclists, runners and other trail users are prohibited from entering the construction area for their own personal safety as well as the safety of the construction crew. The trail will remain open south of Gardner Road and north of Manhattan Drive.
In preparation for trench digging and pipe installation along the trail, the contractor is currently trimming trees, dewatering the area and removing trail asphalt. Tree trimming is being supervised by a certified arborist to ensure protection of trees. Pipe segments are also being placed in the area. The pipe used for this project is 36-inch diameter ductile iron pipe.
Dewatering at Fawn Ridge Boulevard and Sheldon Road is on hold. Construction along Gonzalez Lake Road continues east toward Easy Street.
construction update 8.26.10
Construction along Gonzales Lake Road continues east toward Easy Street. Pipe segments are staged in the area.
Crews are preparing to mobilize along the Upper Tampa Bay Trail on Monday. The trail will be closed Aug. 30-Oct. 29, 2010, from Gardner Road to Manhattan Drive as crews install pipeline along the trail and Hillsborough County performs trail maintenance. Barricades will be put in place at 9:00 p.m. on Aug. 29. The closure includes the trail overpass at Citrus Park Drive. The trail will remain open south of Gardner Road and north of Manhattan Drive.
Initial work along the trail includes milling, dewatering and tree trimming.
Dewatering at Fawn Ridge Boulevard and Sheldon Road is on hold.
construction update 8.18.10
The contractor is installing air valves, blow off valves and a corrosion monitoring test station along the installed segment of pipeline (west of Fawn Ridge Blvd.). A dewatering system has been installed along Gonzalez Lake Drive to Easy Street. Pipeline installation has started on Gonzalez Lake Drive at Sheldon Road, and the contractor is proceeding east over the next two to three weeks.
A section of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail will be closed from Aug. 30-Oct. 29, 2010 as crews install pipeline along the trail and Hillsborough County performs trail maintenance. Barricades will be put in place at 9:00 p.m. on Aug. 29. The trail will be closed from Gardner Road to Manhattan Drive, including the trail overpass at Citrus Park Drive. The trail will remain open south of Gardner Road and north of Manhattan Drive.
Dewatering at Fawn Ridge Boulevard and Sheldon Road is scheduled to resume on Thursday, Aug. 19.
construction update 7.20.10
The contractor has treated 2 acres of Brazilian pepper-trees in the 85-acre preservation area south of Breland Drive and west of Fawn Ridge Boulevard. Brazilian pepper-tree is an aggressive, invasive plant species that grows and spreads rapidly, pushing out native plants and the animals that depend on them for survival. To destroy the invasive plants, the contractor has applied an oil-based herbicide. Treated trees will now be monitored quarterly to ensure the invasive plant is being destroyed. Herbicide may be re-applied as needed.
Pipe installation continues west of Fawn Ridge Boulevard. Tunneling under Fawn Ridge Boulevard and Sheldon Road is on hold due to the effects from recent rainfall.
construction update 7.6.10
Due to delays caused by recent rains, tunneling under Fawn Ridge Boulevard will begin today and continue through the week. During the tunneling operation, a casing pipe, or sleeve, is installed. The casing pipe stabilizes the tunnel and allows construction without impeding traffic. It also protects the actual water pipeline, which is installed through the casing pipe. Pipe segments are being delivered to the area and will be installed once tunneling is complete.
Tunneling under Sheldon Road will begin after the casing pipe installation under Fawn Ridge Boulevard. For the safety of residents and workers, motorists are advised to use caution when driving in the area. While there are no planned changes in traffic flow, workers and construction equipment will be in the area.
Additionally, contractors are clearing the pipeline route in the vicinity of Gonzales Lake Road east toward Easy Street.
Work is expected to reach the Upper Tampa Bay Trail by Aug. 30. The contractor has scheduled the trail closure from Aug. 30-Oct. 29, 2010. The closure will occur between Gardner Road and Manhattan Drive, but the trail will remain open south of Gardner and north of Manhattan.
construction update 6.28.10
Contractors installing the Northwest Hillsborough Pipeline Project are approaching Fawn Ridge Boulevard. Tunneling equipment has been delivered to the intersection of Fawn Ridge Boulevard and Sheldon Road and preparation work is underway for tunneling activities, which are scheduled to begin this week.
For the safety of residents and workers, motorists are advised to use caution when driving in the area. While there are no planned changes in traffic flow, workers and construction equipment will be in the area.
Construction along the Upper Tampa Bay Trail is tentatively scheduled for August. Exact dates will be published in the next two weeks.
