ORLANDO, Fla. \u2014 Residents of Downtown Orlando have long dealt with flooding concerns. Now, the city is replacing a lift station that has been in service for more than 80 years.<\/p>\n
The $19.5-million project will upgrade the aging lift station and surrounding sewer infrastructure.<\/p>\n
The city said that replacing the aging infrastructure should make the lift system more reliable, especially during heavy rain, which puts extra demand on it.<\/p>\n
\u201cPart of my neighborhood can be like a huge puddle in the intersection, or there can be nothing,\u201d Liam Miller, a Downtown Orlando resident, said.<\/p>\n
He was out for a run during a break in the rain on Wednesday morning.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s lived in the area for 27 years and said the construction he sees on his route along Garland Avenue, Marks Street, and Orange Avenue is a welcome sight.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s literally been sewage running across the trail,\u201d Miller said. \u201cThat kind of stuff, we need functional lift stations. I know in the long run it\u2019s good because they are fixing sewers under the road.\u201d<\/p>\n
Channel 9 has covered flooding in Downtown Orlando extensively, and the toll it takes on area lift stations.<\/p>\n
Like this coverage in 2022, when heavy rains from Hurricane Ian impacted city lift stations 1, 2, and 3, and a 36-inch force main break caused an overflow of sewage in the surrounding lakes and streets.<\/p>\n
The city has taken note and is replacing 80-year-old lift station 2.<\/p>\n
The project will include new gravity sewer pipelines, water system improvements, utility relocations, and bypass pumping.<\/p>\n
The city says it\u2019s an important $19.5-million upgrade that will ensure reliable service, prevent future emergency outages, and prepare downtown for sustainable future growth.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, North Garland Avenue between North Marks Street and North Orange Avenue will be closed.<\/p>\n
The city expects the lift station construction project to be complete by the summer of 2028.<\/p>\n
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