Detours and Alerts

Work Begins Monday at Limona/CSX

February 12, 2026

Crews will mobilize on Monday, Feb. 16, to begin removing asphalt and excavating shafts for the tunnel under the railroad tracks. Open-trench pipeline installation is still scheduled to begin at the end of April for Limona Road and Victoria Street, so we can install the pipeline in front of Brandon High School while school is closed over the summer.

Thank you for your patience as we worked through the stringent rules and regulations required to tunnel under the railroad. That review has taken some additional time, but we now have approval to proceed.

If you would like additional information on the pipeline, please visit SouthHillsboroughPipeline.com.

Shop Local. Support Your Business Community.

February 3, 2026

As work continues on the South Hillsborough Pipeline, we want to remind residents, commuters, and project team members that local businesses along South Kings and Bloomingdale avenues remain open, accessible and ready to serve you. 

Whether you live nearby or are working in the area, we encourage you to choose local establishments for your daily needs, services and meals. Small businesses are the heart of this community, and your continued support makes a meaningful difference. 

Your Local Business Guide

While temporary traffic pattern changes may cause brief delays, these neighborhood favorites are open and welcoming customers: 

Stop by The Stein and Vine for a relaxing dinner or grab a quick, delicious bite from the food trucks behind the Mobil Station on South Kings Blvd, including Al’s Barn, Bacon Egg and Cheese, or El Pollo Cartel. Enjoy a meal from Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Subs.    

For specialty flavors and finds, visit Tu Pais Latin Market or Bin + Board WINE / CHEESE / PROVISIONS. Visit ECHO Thrift for unique gifts or visit Family Dollar and Big Lots for everyday essentials. Lastly, keep your vehicle in top shape at Splash Car Wash and Lube or visit Sun Country Cleaners for professional clothing care.    

When you shop locally, you are investing directly in your neighbors and helping ensure these businesses remain strong throughout construction and beyond. 

Thank you for your patience and for your continued commitment to supporting the businesses along the construction route.   

Work Progresses on South Hillsborough Pipeline

January 30, 2026
An excavator removes a bucket of dirt from a tunnel pit location on South Kings Avenue just north of Bloomingdale Avenue.

Crews are making progress on several sections of the South Hillsborough Pipeline.

At South Kings and West Bloomingdale avenues, construction crews have completed excavating the roughly 25-foot-deep tunnel shaft and are expected to finish the south tunnel shaft in early February. The microtunnel boring machine, which will tunnel under Bloomingdale Avenue from one shaft to the other, will be launched in mid-February, barring unforeseen conditions.

The horizontal directional drill under Fishhawk Creek is also nearing completion. The pipe is scheduled to be pulled into the tunnel in mid-February. Crews are expected to be finished at this site in early March.

Work is continuing on the south side of the Alafia River at 7202 Alafia Ridge Road, where crews are installing shoring for a tunnel shaft.

At Limona Road and the CSX railroad crossing, crews will cut and remove asphalt and begin excavating tunnel shafts in early February.

Looking ahead, in early March crews are scheduled to mobilize at:

  • South Parsons Avenue/John Moore Road and Lumsden Road
  • Woodberry/Limona roads and Lakewood Drive

Many variables can affect construction progress, such as underground conditions and weather, so completion dates and start dates are subject to change. We’ll continue updating the website and issuing alerts as work proceeds. Visit southhillsboroughpipeline.com for more information.

Limona Road Closed at Railroad Crossing Starting Jan. 22

January 19, 2026

Starting at 7 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, Limona Road will be closed to through traffic between Bates Street and Victoria Street for construction of the South Hillsborough Pipeline. Construction crews will be excavating a pit on each side of the railroad tracks to install the pipeline beneath the railroad via microtunnel. Construction crews will typically work Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and are expected to complete this work in approximately four months.

Crews will first install dewatering pumps, which will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the duration of this work. Once the microtunnel boring machine is launched, operations will continue 24 hours a day for approximately four consecutive days until the pipeline is installed beneath the railroad tracks. Nighttime lighting and construction equipment will be used during overnight operations.

This work has been moved up earlier in the schedule so crews can install the pipeline in front of Brandon High School over the summer months.

Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to plan alternate routes and follow detour signs. Please use caution when driving, biking or walking in the area. Traffic traveling north on Limona Road will be detoured via Victoria Street to Hilltop Road to Brandon Boulevard to Lakewood Drive. Traffic traveling south will be detoured via Bates Street to Lakewood Drive and Brandon Boulevard.

Tampa Bay Water’s contractor crews are performing this work as part of the South Hillsborough Pipeline construction. For more information on the pipeline, visit SouthHillsboroughPipeline.com.

Limona Road is closed at the railroad crossing for South Hillsborough Pipeline construction.

Crews Mobilizing at Alafia River Crossing on Jan. 19

January 16, 2026

On Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, construction activity for the South Hillsborough Pipeline will begin on the south side of the Alafia River at 7202 Alafia Ridge Road. Work will begin with tree removal on Tampa Bay Water-owned property to allow the contractor to mobilize the next day to begin tunnel shaft work for the mictrotunnel under the Alafia River. We apologize for the short notice; the contractor is adjusting the construction schedule so the project can stay on track to be in service by the end of 2028. 

Construction crews will generally work from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Once the tunnel shoring is installed on the south side of the river, crews will move to 4142 Alafia Blvd. on the north side of the river to install the other tunnel shaft.

What to expect:

  • Brief traffic delays may occur during equipment and material deliveries; no long-term road closures are anticipated.
  • Heavy equipment on the site of the property including large cranes, excavators, control trailers and pipe materials.
  • Shallow dewatering wells will be installed and operated 24/7 with dewatering, noise-minimizing diesel pumps.

For more information on the pipeline, visit SouthHillsboroughPipeline.com.

Schedule in Flux as Permit Review Continues

January 14, 2026

Tampa Bay Water knows that residents and businesses are eager to learn the start dates of construction in their areas, but the construction schedule remains in flux until we receive an important permit.

The project team is still awaiting approval of the Hillsborough County right-of-way permit. Until that permit is in hand, we are unable to start construction in other locations or update the project schedule.

If the permit is received soon, crews are standing by to:

  • Mobilize equipment at Limona Road at the CSX railroad to begin working on the microtunnel under the railroad (tentatively scheduled to begin Jan. 22). This work was moved up so crews can install the pipeline in front of Brandon High School over the summer months.
  • Mobilize construction equipment in an easement at the Myron and Helen Gibbons Nature Preserve on the north side of Boyette Road, just west of Bell Creek (tentatively scheduled for the week of Jan. 19).

Work at Woodberry Road and Lakewood Drive will occur after the microtunnel at Limona Road and the railroad is completed. 

We will update the website (www.SouthHillsboroughPipeline.com) and issue email alerts as soon as more schedule information is available.

 

Continuous Vibration Monitoring Ensures Safety

January 6, 2026

Crews will be using specialized equipment during pipeline construction of the South Hillsborough Pipeline that may cause brief, noticeable vibrations in your homes or businesses. This vibratory equipment generates ground vibrations that travel outward from the active work area and will naturally dissipate with distance.

Please be assured that all vibration levels will remain well below the safety limits established by the United States Bureau of Mines for residential and commercial structures.

To maintain compliance and protect surrounding properties, vibration monitors are in place near active work areas. These instruments continuously record vibration levels and send automated alerts to Seismic Surveys LLC and Garney Construction if readings approach allowable limits so adjustments can be made immediately.

Continuous monitoring provides accurate, objective data to confirm that construction activities remain within safe limits at all times.

For more information, please read the Vibration Advisory Letter on the project website, and if you have any questions, please contact the project team at SHPinfo@tampabaywater.org or call (813) 485-6480.

Safety Alert: Barricades and Cones Must Stay Put

December 22, 2025

As we head into the holiday season, our construction crews will break from Dec. 25 through Jan. 4. While work pauses, tunnel shaft areas will be secured and construction equipment will remain on site, so safety barriers and lane closures remain in place. 

Please do not move barricades, cones or detour signs even if the site appears quiet. These barriers are in place to protect the safety of motorists and pedestrians, and our workers who may be on site.

It’s important to remember that under Florida Statutes Title XXII, Chapter 316, Section 078, it’s illegal to:

  • Tear down or deface any detour sign.
  • Remove or drive around a construction barricade.

Violating this law is a misdemeanor offense in the state of Florida and can result in serious penalties.

Let’s all stay safe this holiday season and from our team to yours, have a wonderful holiday!

Shop Local This Holiday Season!

December 12, 2025

Dear Community Members,

With the holiday season in full swing, our local businesses need our community spirit and continued support. Temporary traffic pattern changes on South Kings Avenue may cause brief delays, but please make time to support your neighborhood shops and restaurants—they’re counting on it. 

Every establishment along the construction route remains open, accessible and ready to welcome you with holiday cheer.

Your Local Holiday Shopping & Dining Guide

As you prepare for the holidays, visit these local spots for errands, services and quick meals. Stock up on authentic ingredients and unique flavors for your festive holiday meals at Tu Pais Latin Market. Get your vehicle ready for holiday travel at Splash Car Wash and Lube. Fuel up and grab snacks for the road at the Kings Row Mobil Station, which is accessible via Bloomingdale Avenue.

Sun Country Cleaners can help keep your special party outfits looking their best. If you need a break from cooking, grab an easy dinner from Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Subs. And to keep your smile bright for family photos, stop by Navarro Orthodontics.

When you shop locally, you’re investing in your neighbors, strengthening our small business community and helping ensure these vital establishments continue to thrive.

Thank you for your patience, kindness, and ongoing commitment to supporting the businesses along the South Hillsborough Pipeline construction route at Kings and Bloomingdale avenues.

If you have any questions, please reach out via email at shpinfo@tampabaywater.org or call 813-485-6480.

Warm holiday wishes,

Tampa Bay Water

Continuous Monitors Ensure Safe Vibration Levels

December 8, 2025

During construction of the South Hillsborough Pipeline, crews will use specialized equipment that may cause brief, noticeable vibrations in your homes or businesses. This vibratory equipment generates ground vibrations that travel outward from the active work area and will naturally dissipate with distance.  

Please be assured that all vibration levels will remain well below the safety limits established by the United States Bureau of Mines for residential and commercial structures.  

To maintain compliance and protect surrounding properties, vibration monitors will be installed near active work areas. These instruments continuously record vibration levels and send automated alerts to Seismic Surveys LLC and Garney Construction if readings approach allowable limits so adjustments can be made immediately.  

Continuous monitoring provides accurate, objective data to confirm that construction activities remain within safe limits at all times. 

For more information, please read the Vibration Advisory Letter on the project website, and if you have any questions, please contact the project team at SHPinfo@tampabaywater.org or call (813) 485-6480.