Laguna Shores residents hear water utility plan
Future water utility work in the Laguna Shores neighborhood was discussed during a preconstruction meeting at Fort Myers Beach Woman’s Club last Tuesday.
Project team members from Mitchell & Stark Construction, Johnson Engineering, Tetra Tech, Cella Molnar & Associates and the Town of Fort Myers Beach examined tentative plans with affected residents before making a power point presentation to illustrate the specific details of the utility work to begin in the fall of 2014. Questions from neighborhood residents were then answered.
The bulk of construction phase 1 of the Beach waterline replacement is expected to begin in either September or October and take five months to complete. At this time, plans are still under review until Town Council gives approval.
The Laguna Shores neighborhood is part of the Town’s overall water improvement project that includes the current Basin Based Neighborhood project and a future program on Bay Beach Lane. Consistent eight-inch water lines will be installed.
“These new pipes will not only relieve you from pipe breaks, but you will see a realized difference in consistent pressure,” said Tetra Tech consultant Danny Nelson, the owner representative. “Having the engineer and the contractor work together makes the project a lot more seamless.”
Construction in the Laguna Shores areas involves Buccaneer Drive, Lagoon Vista Street, Lagoon Road, Starfish Circle, Redfish Road, Tarpon Road, Sand Dollar Drive, Seahorse Lane, Estrellita Drive and Little Carlos Court.
Unlike the current Basin Based Neighborhood project, which involves storm water work as well as waterline replacement, the project scope of the Laguna Shores streets and Bay Beach Lane will center on solely waterline replacement.
The project will replace inconsistently sized water lines (some area have pipes that are two inches, four inches or six inches). Updated materials like PVC piping will be installed.
“The problem is your existing waterline structure is made of different materials,” said Johnson Engineering’s Mike Dickey, the project engineer. “You have some cast iron, asbestos and cement in the ground. Not only that, you have some varying sizes. The Town is being proactive here.”
Officials reinforced the point that the initial design of the laid-out plans are preliminary and subject to change. The main project’s starting location has yet to be disclosed, except for a 660-foot “eagle zone area” where work will begin in July due to environmental nesting purposes.
After demolition and installation activities, the design-build team will test the system before activating the water main. Water will be turned on slowly and cautiously during that process.
“Once we confirm that we don’t have any leaks, we will start the restoration process,” said Mitchell & Starks’ Brian Penner. “We will put your driveways back, repair the roads and anything else that needs to be done.”
Water mains will be placed under the Town right-of-way for easier accessibility for future work. They will not be placed under roads. Homeowner installed vegetation, irrigation systems, lighting, signs, planters, statues and other items in that ROW will need to be removed or relocated prior to construction.
All properties will receive new water meters that will remain in their existing locations, unless property owners seek relocation at their own expenses. Discounts may be available for this procedure by the use of the same plumber for several properties.
It was noted that water lines are being installed on the roads and up to the water mains only. Homeowners will be responsible for water lines from the new water meter to their homes and within.
Part-time residents, who are leaving for the summer months, are recommended to shut off water service at their homes before departing.
Officials admitted there will be inconveniences during the project, but assurances were made to minimize inconveniences. One lane of traffic will remain open for flow, but there may be brief waits during construction activities. Notifications will also be provided once work is nearing a certain property.
Once the Laguna Shores project nears the start date, more information will be available on website www.reFRESHFMBEACH.com where updates will be provided.
“We will be doing some on-site meetings with you all and maybe some one-on-one meetings to talk about special items that need to be taken care of,” said Cella Molnar & Associates’ Kaye Molnar, the public liaison between project officials and Town officials. “If you have questions and you want us to come out and take a look at what’s going on, give my number a call or reach me at my email address.”
Molnar can be reached by email at Kmolnar@cella.cc or by phone at 337-1071 or toll-free at 877-496-1076.
Water shut-offs and boil water notices will be notified through flyers left on door knobs.
“We will give you a couple of days notice so that you can be prepared for it,” said Molnar. “There will be times when there will be an emergency shut-off and you haven’t heard from us. I would suggest keeping some water on hand for those times.”
Green notices will inform when boiling water is no longer needed. Services such as mail, garbage and public transportation will continue through affected streets. Mailboxes will not have to be moved by the resident as the contractor will handle it.
The project to replace a failing water system that dates back to the 1950s era on Estero Island began with an approved referendum for the long-term borrowing of funds (91.6 percent passing rating) in 2007. It continued with a Town study for prioritization (phase 1 work) in 2008, re-approval for the funds and completion of the water main replacement project on North Estero Boulevard in 2011 and the selection of the design-build team in 2013.