TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay Water has officially broken ground on a massive infrastructure project designed to keep up with rapid growth in southern Hillsborough County: a 26-mile underground water pipeline expected to deliver up to 65 million gallons of water per day.
The nearly half-billion-dollar project will install a 5-foot-diameter steel pipe connected to the region’s water system as part of Tampa Bay Water’s long-term, 20-year master plan.
What You Need To Know
Tampa Bay Water is currently constructing a 26-mile water pipeline to deliver water to south Hillsborough County
The 5-foot-diameter pipe will carry 65 million gallons of water per day
Tunneling work has begun under Kings Way and Bloomingdale in Brandon where a section of pipe will be installed 25 feet under the existing roadway
The entire pipeline is expected to be completed by the end of 2028
Construction is underway near the busy intersection of Kings Avenue and Bloomingdale Avenue in Brandon. While drivers may only see fencing and equipment at street level, crews are carrying out extensive underground work beneath the surface.
Tampa Bay Water recently gave a behind-the-scenes look at the site, where crews are digging two massive shafts — each about 25 feet deep — on opposite sides of the road. These shafts will house specialized equipment used to tunnel under existing utilities and roadways without disrupting traffic above.
According to Sam Flowers, area manager with Garney Construction, tunneling is a complex process that requires years of geotechnical planning, but significantly reduces surface impacts.
“It was important to Tampa Bay Water and to Garney to minimize impacts to the traveling public to the greatest extent possible,” Flowers said. “One way we can do that is by tunneling under major roadways like this. It also helps us get under existing utilities without disrupting those as well.”
Tampa Bay Water communications manager Brandon Moore said the project is essential, as more people and businesses move into the area.
“We see a lot of growth (with) more homes being built, more people moving into southern Hillsborough County,” Moore said. “That means a greater need for water — not only for residents but for businesses, hospitals, schools, fire rescue, and other essential services.”
Crews are expected to spend about two weeks completing the shafts at Kings Way and Bloomingdale before lowering the tunneling machine, which will bore a tunnel more than 5 feet wide. Construction at this location is expected to wrap up by the summer.
While much of the 26-mile pipeline will be installed using open-trench construction, several key areas will require tunneling, including a major crossing beneath the Alafia River. Those tunnel shafts will be dug nearly twice as deep as the current work in Brandon.
Tampa Bay Water officials said the full pipeline is expected to be operational by the end of 2028.