Motorists driving over the portion of Lutz Lake Fern Road from North Dale Mabry to near Oscar Cooler Sports Complex, had the sensation of driving on a washboard.
But the section heading east from that point to U.S. 41, rolled over a new, smooth road.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
That’s because the road was open to through traffic over the weekend, before crews went back to work this week to finish the resurfacing project.
The road resurfacing project, about 1.7 miles long, is expected to be completed by March 20, weather permitting, according to Andrea Roshaven a spokeswoman for Hillsborough County.
The project is partially due to a recently completed $5.4 million public works project to connect the Manors of Crystal Lakes subdivision to the county’s water distribution system.
The water line project affected the eastbound travel lane of Lutz Lake Fern Road, requiring it to be refurbished.
The public works department provided an additional $283,000 to refurbish the westbound travel lanes.
The project involves milling and resurfacing.
Local traffic can enter the area, but other motorists are being detoured.
The Manors of Crystal Lakes project involved 4.5 miles of pipeline to create a looped system, giving Manors of Crystal Lakes’ residents a backup, in the event of any water line breaks or disruption.
The 12-inch water pipe was installed along U.S. 41 and Lutz Lake Fern Road. The new pipe also improved water flow, bringing it up to current standards for fire protection.
The biggest change for customers is that the county’s water system uses chloramines in the final disinfection stages instead of chlorine.
Customers should be aware that water that contains chloramines should not be used in home aquariums, fishponds or home kidney dialysis. Water used for those purposes should be treated or filtered to remove the chloramines.
Published March 18, 2015
