The city of Tampa will spend $69.3 million to provide flood relief and water distribution system improvements to a local neighborhood. Currently in the design phase, major construction is anticipated to begin in 2026 with some limited construction work slated for September.
The lion’s share of the budget is allocated toward the South Howard Flood Relief Project, detailing a significant effort to build a major stormwater conveyance system serving South Howard Avenue and nearby communities. The region has been notorious for receiving the brunt of severe weather, frequently flooding and damaging property, homes and local infrastructure.
The project will center around installing more than 8,000 feet of box culverts beneath the roadways to better direct stormwater to the bay. The culverts will be supported by pipes, drainage inlets and stormwater outfall designed to alleviate flood conditions. Ongoing work will address and upgrade existing water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.
The city will underground overhead power lines, implement green infrastructure technologies to improve water discharge and enhance drainage along the South Selmon Expressway. Finally, the project vision calls for repaving nearby roadways and improving traffic calming measures, landscaping, sidewalks, lighting and parking along the avenue and connecting neighborhoods.
Tampa will also work on a supplementary project to further improve the water distribution system. As part of this effort, the city will replace existing water mains and improve the system’s capacity, totaling more than 9,500 feet of water mains ranging from four to 12 inches in diameter.
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