Project closes roadway

EAST COUNTY — A new drinking waterline under the Manatee River will allow Manatee County the capacity to quench the thirst of a growing population, but it also will impact traffic.

The county is paying $3.18 million for Danella Utility Construction Inc. to complete the Fort Hamer waterline crossing project, with the goal of providing connectivity and support to other waterlines across the county.

“This is about providing redundancy and reliability to serve folks north of the Manatee River,” said Mark Simpson, Manatee County water division manager. “It’s very important for our system. We would have trouble meeting the future demands on the north side of the river if we did not have this.”

Although construction began Feb. 24, the project is just starting to impact traffic in East County.

Manatee County has closed Winding Stream Way, from Upper Manatee River Road to the second exit into the Waterlefe community, until May 7, as crews dig into the roadway to install the line.

Currently, there are only two waterline connections across the Manatee River: near the Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant and along the U.S. 41 bridge.

The new 24-inch waterline would be the third line across the Manatee River.

The new line will connect with a 42-inch line on Upper Manatee River Road. That line connects to a 24-inch waterline on Fort Hamer Road.

Manatee County has thousands of potable (drinking) waterlines, all of which start from the Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant, which monitors water from the Manatee River and ensures its safety.

Although the new line will primarily serve residents in northern Manatee County, it provides a buffer for potential waterline breaks that can occur anywhere.

“There are instances where the new line can provide additional protection and flows in case we need to shut other ones down,” Simpson said.

Construction of the Fort Hamer waterline is scheduled to finish Jan. 10, 2015.

Project facts:
Contractor: Danella Utility Construction Inc.

Construction cost of project: $3,182,511.75

Construction start: Feb. 24, 2014

Construction end: Jan. 10, 2015

Contact Josh Siegel at [email protected]