When it rains it pours on north Clearwater Beach roads.

To decrease flooding to areas like Mandalay Avenue and East Shore Drive during and after rainstorms new piping will be installed to move the water out to sea faster.

The upgrades, as part of the Mandalay Stormwater Outfall project, are also expected to help reduce trash and other debris from reaching the open water.

However, it could also cause some delays for residents and tourists driving near the project area which includes Mandalay and Poinsettia avenues, East Shore Drive and Papaya Street.

Officials are asking residents and business owners to share their thoughts on the project including when in 2013 it should start and its traffic impacts at a public meeting Tuesday at the Clearwater Beach Library and Recreation Complex.

***

The area historically is prone to flooding, said Elliot Shoberg a stormwater manager with the city.

The existing stormwater system will be upgraded during the nine month project including adding the system along East Shore Drive. 

The plan is to increase the pipe size from about 15 inches at the start to 36. About 1,400 feet later the old 24-inch line will be replaced with an eight-by-three foot culvert.

Shoberg said the piping increases will help usher away water during rain storms. However, its effectiveness still depends on the tides.

“It should make a substantial difference if the tide is at a reasonable level,” Shoberg said.

The $1.65 million project also includes adding two pollution collection boxes. These have a baffle system to catch trash and other debris so it does not reach the water, Shoberg said. The trash would be removed by city crews with vacuum trucks when needed.

Shoberg said that $850,000 of the project’s cost is paid by the Southwest Florida Management District.

***

As far as the roads go, Shoberg said there are no definite closures planned as part of the project, but those details still are being worked on.

Right now the plan is to keep the outer lanes of Mandalay Avenue open while crews work in the median and lanes close to it, Shoberg said.

“Drivers will have to deal with the roads,” Shoberg said.

If you go:

What: Public Meeting on the Mandalay Stormwater Outfall project

When: 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4

Where: Clearwater Beach Recreation Complex, 69 Bay Esplanade

Call 727-562-4750.