After a year of delays, cracks in the pipe, vibrations and loud noise, Davis Islands residents celebrate. It's good news for thirsty lawns.
By RON MATUS
Published November 7, 2003
Break out the bubbly.
After a yearlong delay, workers last week finally succeeded in pulling a 1,300-foot-long reclaimed water pipe through a tunnel beneath Seddon Channel, sparking cheers from dozens of residents who have endured the rumble of machinery for months.
"The end is in sight," said Columbia Drive resident Donna Stram, who is planning a block party with neighbors to celebrate.
City officials breathed a sigh of relief, too.
When the 42-inch pipe emerged on the other side of the channel, at Hooker's Point, "I imagine there were a lot of smiles," said Henry Dorzback, chief engineer for the city wastewater department.
The pipe is a critical link in the city's $28-million STAR (South Tampa Area Reclaimed) project, which is designed to bring millions of gallons of treated wastewater to area lawns. Contractors began work on the pipe in September 2002, expecting to finish in six weeks. But a series of problems ensued, including the cracking of a massive sewage line.
After weeks of preparation, workers for Piute Contractors began pulling the pipe about 10 a.m. Oct. 30.
Neighbors got giddy as the pipe slowly slinked down the street and into the tunnel opening on Cayuga Avenue.
"We're all like, "The pipe's moving, the pipe's moving,' " Stram said.
When crews finished 10 hours later, a small group of residents had gathered at the tunnel, where all that was left of the pipe was sticking up in the air.
"It was, ahhhh, so exciting," Stram said.
Up next: the cleanup.
The city needs to replace the damaged sewage pipe and remove the bypass system that was installed in its place. Cayuga Avenue must be restored. Sidewalks must be fixed.
Most of that work should be done by Christmas, Dorzback said.
Afterward, the city will assess claims of homeowners who say construction work damaged their homes and "make repairs accordingly," said Brad Baird, the wastewater department's deputy director. In July, the City Council voted to buy one couple's house for $340,000.
The work isn't over.
A second underwater pipe remains on tap, to be installed near Davis Island bridge. Original plans called for a tunnel there, too, but after the Seddon Channel experience, city officials decided instead that they want the contractor to dig a trench and set the pipe inside.
Work on that link should begin within a month and last about two months, Dorzback said.
City officials expect reclaimed water to begin flowing in February.
In the meantime, they'll begin exploring legal options regarding the contractors.
The city blames Piute for $2.3-million in unexpected costs. Piute blames a subcontractor.
