Following is an update on operations and activities related to the force main replacement project that is currently underway in the Rio Vista neighborhood. 

Construction Activities

-Crews are making significant progress on a project to install a half-mile of new force main from SE 9 Avenue and SE 7 Street to SE 10 Avenue and SE 12 Street in Rio Vista. 

-Work is being done using underground directional drilling, a construction technique that eliminates the need for crews to dig a trench the entire length of the pipe, minimizes impact on streets and roadways, limits disruption to the neighborhood, and expedites the installation process. 

-Crews have completed the first phase of underground directional drilling which involved boring a small diameter pilot hole the full length of the pipe run to assess soil conditions and ensure the directional path is properly aligned. 

-The second phase of underground directional drilling is currently underway, which entails enlarging the diameter of the pilot hole to a size that will accommodate installation of the new 48-inch pipe. 

-Over the next three weeks, crews will work toward completing the second phase of underground directional drilling and begin fusing together multiple sections of the 48-inch pipe to prepare it for installation. 

Environmental Activities and Remediation

-The City has hired E-Sciences, an environmental services company, to evaluate conditions in the Tarpon River and develop a restoration plan for the affected area.  

-A representative from E-Sciences is scheduled to begin conducting a survey of the affected portion of the Tarpon River beginning Monday, February 24. The surveyor is expected to be on the waterway from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily for approximately three to five days. 

-The second phase of the waterway analysis is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 2 and will focus on collecting core samples from the bottom of the Tarpon River. Representatives from E-Sciences will be on the waterway from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily for approximately five to seven days. 

-Based on the findings of the analysis, E-Sciences will develop a restoration plan for the affected portions of the Tarpon River.   

-Cliff Berry, Inc. Environmental Services (CBI) is finalizing remediation work on the remaining properties in the affected area that sustained damage to lawns, landscaping, driveways, and walkways. 

Road Closures Effective February 26

-The following road closures will be in effect beginning Wednesday, February 26 in the Rio Vista neighborhood. For a map of the updated road closures, please visit bit.ly/34W91Q6. 

• There will be no access across SE 9 Avenue at the intersections of North Rio Vista Boulevard, SE 5 Court, SE 6 Street, and SE 6 Court. Motorists will be detoured via SE 7 Street, SE 8 Street, and SE 11 Avenue.
• Roads in the immediate vicinity of Virginia Young Park are closed including a portion of SE 10 Street east of SE 9 Avenue, as well as a portion of South Rio Vista Boulevard east of SE 9 Avenue.
• SE 9 Avenue is closed from south of the intersection at SE 8 Street to Ponce de Leon Drive and between SE 11 Court and SE 12 Street.
• There is no access across SE 9 Avenue at the intersections of SE 9 Street, SE 10 Street, South Rio Vista Boulevard, and the north side of Ponce de Leon Drive.
• The intersection of SE 12 Street and SE 10 Avenue is closed. Traffic will be detoured via SE 12 Court.

-Construction work will take place daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the contractor will work with neighbors to maintain access to individual properties. Please follow posted signs and drive with caution in the area. 

Update from Commissioner Sorensen

-Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Ben Sorensen will host a meeting to update neighbors on the sewer work taking place in the Rio Vista neighborhood. 

-The meeting will take place on Saturday, February 22, 2020 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at Rio Vista Community Church, located at 880 S. Federal Highway. 

For More Information

-Neighbors are encouraged to stay up to date by visiting the City’s website at www.fortlauderdale.gov or following the City on social media at:

• Facebook - www.facebook.com/CityofFortLauderdale
• Twitter - twitter.com/FTLCityNews
• Nextdoor - www.nextdoor.com