A project to replace roughly 4 miles of aged water pipe in Islamorada is two months ahead of schedule.
Since April, crews have worked around the clock Monday through Friday to install more than 18,500 feet of new 36-inch water main from MM 79.5 on Tea Table Key to MM 82. The pipe installation and traffic pattern changes will continue as workers approach the Whale Harbor bridge at MM 84.
“We never expected to move at this type of rate,” said Greg Veliz, FKAA executive director. “The traffic has been far better than we could have anticipated.”
Crews installed a 42-inch water main underwater at Tea Table crossing to prevent wear-and-tear from any future high winds and storm surge. Transmission line at Whale Harbor Channel will also be placed underwater as a protective measure against the elements.
A $42-million pipe replacement project in Islamorada kicks off a gargantuan effort by FKAA to replace 150 miles of 40-year-old transmission lines. Veliz said the agency will continue to place new transmission from the Whale Harbor crossing to Plantation Key. Veliz said the next replacement project will address one of the most compromised sections of pipe due to tidal flows.
Last March, a series of breaks occurred across from Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina. The breaks were eventually fixed, but water pressure remained low from Islamorada south to Key West.
“We know this is a bad stretch,” Veliz said.
Crews have taken breaks during busy holidays to avoid causing severe traffic backups. With the upcoming Fantasy Fest in Key West, FKAA announced the southbound U.S. 1 rolling lane closure will be suspended from 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, until 10 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23.More information is at fkaa.com/322/Traffic-Advisories.
