North Beach Drainage Project Starts This Week

To decrease flooding to some parts of north Clearwater Beach during and after rainstorms 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 open waters.

Construction started on the project nine month project this week.

There could be some delays for residents and tourists driving near the construction area which includes Mandalay and Poinsettia avenues, East Shore Drive and Papaya Street.

There could be some brief lane or road closures during the project. Parking Lot 35 is expected to be closed about 30 days during construction.

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.

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. The trash would be removed by city crews with vacuum trucks when needed.

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

Call 727-562-4750.

Related coverage:

$1.6 Million Drainage Project to Decrease North Beach Flooding

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