Construction Set, Flood Relief Comes to Southside Neighbors

Crews are days away from launching a yearlong construction project that should relieve flooding problems in a Southside neighborhood.

Keystone Excavators, Inc. of Oldsmar will install a network of stormwater pipelines along a half-mile stretch of Orangewood Drive beginning at Edgewater Drive and intersecting lengths of Citrus, Broadway, Douglas and Highland avenues. Officials warn that the nearly $3 million project will cause pesky road closures and detours and hinder access to their homes for four to six weeks at a time.

The area has been the focal point of longstanding stormwater backup issues.

Tuesday, officials are seeking public input on the neighborhood impact from Southside residents at from 6 to 8 p.m.

They will discuss the plans to begin on the west side of Edgewater Drive and move east along Orangewood, and how it will impact traffic patterns over the next year.

“We apologize for the inconvenience this project will create. However, this work is necessary to address the longstanding drainage problems in your area,” Doug Hutchens, public works and utilities director, wrote in an undated letter to Southside residents.

Those residents with special access needs (medical services or deliveries) are asked to contact the city for accommodation.

[Updated 6:19 p.m., Aug. 16, 2011]