Two-way traffic to be maintained
A utility improvement project that entails replacing sections of an aging, primary water pipeline beneath North Tamiami Trail will begin on Monday, Sept. 15, the City of Sarasota has announced.
“Two-way traffic will be maintained for the duration of the project,” a news release points out.
The inside southbound and inside northbound lanes of North Tamiami Trail between 14th Street and 22nd Street will be closed during the first phase of the project, which is estimated to be completed in the spring of 2026, a news release does note.
“Digital signage has been installed,” the release adds, so motorists will be notified of lane closures.
Further, temporary traffic calming measures will be implemented on several side streets between North Tamiami Trail and Cocoanut Avenue during Phase 1 of the project, “to address speeding on adjacent residential streets,” the release also points out. Motorists are encouraged to remain on North Tamiami Trail., the release adds.
“This utility improvement project is part of a continued effort by the city to modernize and strengthen our water utilities infrastructure,” said Utilities Engineering Manager Georges Nicolas in the release. “While two lanes of North Tamiami Trail will need to be closed for the duration of the project, two-way traffic will be maintained,” he stressed. “We appreciate the community’s patience during this significant infrastructure improvement.”
The multi-phase utility improvement project will stretch from 14th Street to University Parkway, the release explains. This $30-million initiative will increase “the safety and resilience of the City’s water utility,” the release adds.
The Rangeline Group explains on its website, “Water mainlines form the backbone of a water distribution system. They are the arteries that transport water from the treatment facility to the properties within a city, town, or region. These large-diameter pipes are essential for supplying water to the network of water service pipe.”
The website continues, “Municipalities or regional water authorities install and maintain water mains. They are responsible for ensuring the adequate supply of potable water to the community they serve. Water mains also provide water for fire protection through the connection of fire hydrants.”
The water main that is being replaced is made of asbestos concrete, the city’s project webpage points out. The Safe Water Drinking Foundation says that the first such pipeline was used in North America in 1929. The Foundation adds, “AC pipe was a common choice for potable water main construction” during the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s.
It further notes, “The use of asbestos cement pipe was largely discontinued in North America in the late 1970s due to health concerns associated with the manufacturing process of AC pipes and the possible release of asbestos fibres from deteriorated pipes. It has been estimated that up to 18% of the water distribution pipes in the United States and Canada are asbestos cement. The pipes can contain up to 20% asbestos. The life of the pipe can be 50-70 years, depending on soil type, climate and the aggressive nature of the water.”
All seven project phases of the city project are estimated to be complete in early 2028, the news release notes.
Other aspects of the water main project are as follows, the city webpage points out:
- The decommissioning and abandonment of an aging, redundant 16-inch asbestos concrete force main along North Tamiami Trail from 17th Street to Lift Station No. 10, which is located just northeast of the Whitaker Bayou Bridge. Muller explains that a force main “is a pressurized sewer pipe. It uses pressure to help move wastewater through a sewage system and is particularly useful in locations where gravity isn’t enough to push the wastewater through. The ‘discharge point’ is where the wastewater leaves the piping system and will normally be a treatment plant.”
- The abandonment of an aging, 24-inch cast iron reclaimed water line along North Tamiami Trail from 18th Street to Whitaker Bayou.
- Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) under Whitaker Bayou and the bayou bridge.
- The replacement of 20 fire hydrants, the creation of new water service connections, and the installation of new meter boxes/covers.
Additional information on the North Tamiami Trail AC Water Main Replacement project can be found on the project website.