Construction crews are “piping” along U.S. 1 on Islamorada’s Windley Key, with more than 3,600 feet of transmission main successfully placed into the ground.
The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority’s (FKAA) second water pipe replacement project began on May 28. Crews will spend about one year installing more than 8,200 feet of new 36-inch steel pipe to carry water down the Keys. They’re working around the clock, Monday through Friday, but they pause work for major holidays and events.
Crews are scheduled to take a break from Saturday, Aug. 31 through Tuesday, Sept. 3 to mitigate traffic issues through Windley Key and the rest of Islamorada during a busy Labor Day weekend. Rolling lane closures to accommodate room for workers to install the pipe will also be suspended during that period.
While the work has caused a bit of a traffic backup, FKAA says the project on Windley Key continues to move ahead — and four months ahead of schedule.
Greg Veliz, FKAA executive director, said the installation of new water main transmission is going seamlessly.
“It’s really going better than expected,” he said, adding they’re currently preparing a request for qualifications to design and install the next 7 miles of new transmission main. A mile of new water pipe costs $10 million.
“The only thing keeping us from doing more is money. We’re tapping every grant. We’re up in Tallahassee actively chasing money,” Veliz said.
Work to replace the aged water transmission main on Windley Key comes following the successful installation of 22,152 feet of new 36-inch water main from Tea Table Relief at MM 79.5 to Whale Harbor at MM 84. Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority activated the new transmission main on July 29. Originally slated for completion in February 2025, this project is now entering its final phases.
More information is available at 833-588-5865 or via email to community@fkaa.com. After-hours support is also available at 305-296-2454.
