County sewer project enters second phase
BRADENTON BEACH – As part of Manatee County’s ongoing sewer line replacement project, the Woodruff & Sons construction crew has been working on and near 12th Street South.
On Aug. 16, 12th Street South remained closed to vehicular traffic and the Gulf Drive South traffic lanes, near the S-curve, have been shifted slightly to accommodate the work taking place.
Manatee County Public Works Director provided a project update during the Aug. 1 Council of Governments meeting.
Butzow said the main gravity sewer line has been installed parallel to and west of Gulf Drive South and that portion of the project is completed. Lateral connection lines are being installed down the center of each connecting side street, from 12th Street South to 6th Street South resulting in those side streets being temporarily closed to vehicular traffic one street at a time. Butzow said there will not be any instances where two side streets are closed at the same time. The project-related street closures will impact residents, vacationers and property owners as that work progresses from street to street in the coming weeks and months.
For those unable to access their side streets via automobile, the county is providing a free shuttle service between the designated Gulf Drive South parking areas and the impacted side streets. For more information on the shuttle service, please call 941-269-6699.
Each lateral connection line also requires cutting through the Gulf Drive South pavement so the lateral can be connected to the main line and put into service.
“We’ve learned a lot. Our public outreach consultant has done a very good job,” Butzow said of the regular project updates consultant Tina Allen provides. “It is very timely and has been well-received.”
Dated July 28, Allen’s latest update noted the lateral connection line had been installed down the center of 11th Street South and work on 12th Street South was beginning that day. The work done on 11th Street South completed phase one of the two-phase project.
“On Thursday, July 27, 2023, the contractor began installing a new gravity sewer pipe across Gulf Drive South to the east side of Gulf Drive South at 12th Street South. To accommodate pipe installation, traffic lane shifts will remain in place through late August 2023 for the northbound and southbound travel lanes of Gulf Drive South. 12th Street South will remain closed to traffic through mid-fall 2023 as the contractor installs a new gravity sewer pipeline. A reserved parking area has been provided along the west side of Gulf Drive South for use by residents and renters impacted by the 12th Street South construction,” according to the update that was emailed to subscribers and also posted on the project website.
The county project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2024.
