TAMPA, Fla. – Drivers heading through South Tampa this morning might want to give themselves a few extra minutes. Starting at 9:00 a.m. today, Monday, February 16, crews from the Tampa Water Department will close off the outside southbound lane of Bayshore Boulevard.
The closure stretches between West Knights Avenue and West Wallcraft Avenue as workers begin emergency repairs on a broken water main.
The city has already deployed a series of barricades and directional signs to help funnel traffic through the remaining open lanes. While the road stays partially accessible, local officials are urging motorists to stay sharp and exercise extra caution while passing through the work zone, as heavy machinery and personnel will be operating close to the flow of traffic.
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According to the current project timeline, the Water Department expects to have the pipe fixed and the lane reopened by 4:30 p.m. this coming Friday, February 20.
However, like any outdoor construction project, this schedule isn’t set in stone. City officials noted that the timeline depends heavily on the weather, and unforeseen site conditions could require modifications to the repair plan.
Even after the lane reopens Friday afternoon, the job might not be entirely finished. The department mentioned that crews may need to schedule a follow-up visit at a later date to wrap up permanent restoration or additional maintenance.
If that happens, a new traffic alert will be issued. For now, the city is asking for patience from residents and commuters as they work to get the water infrastructure back in top shape.
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