TAMPA, Fla. – Part of northbound West Shore Blvd. closed Sunday evening between W. Kennedy Blvd. and W. Azeele St. while crews replace a waterline.

On Friday, workers and machinery were visible along West Shore near W. Azeele St. Less obvious was their focus: A 12-inch cast iron pipeline buried beneath the road.

What You Need To Know

  • Tampa area real time traffic map

  •  Part of northbound West Shore Blvd. closed Sunday 

  • Affected parts of West Shore Blvd. are expected to reopen at 9:00 p.m. Friday.

"It is also adjacent to a jet fuel line. So, being 80 years old and at the end of its useful life, it's very important we replace this line,” said Tampa Deputy Administrator of Infrastructure Brad Baird.

Baird said the replacement is the last phase of a nearly $3 billion project.

Here’s what it will mean for drivers:

Beginning Sunday evening, part of northbound West Shore from W. Cleveland St. to W. Kennedy Blvd. will be completely closed to northbound traffic.

Between W. Azeele and W.  Cleveland Streets, northbound lanes will be open to local traffic only.

Baird said the closure was the city’s best option.

“To get this work done safely and expedite it, as well,” Baird said of the benefits of the plan. “We had other alternatives. They would have taken more than twice as long to get it done."

The work is expected to improve water pressure in the area and the overall resiliency of the city’s water system.

"We know this has been a long project. It started last summer, and we really appreciate your patience during this time. In the end, it will be worth it,” Baird said.

That end is coming soon. Baird said the last step is milling and laying asphalt along the entire length of the project. That’s scheduled to begin in April.

Affected parts of West Shore Blvd. are expected to reopen at 9:00 p.m. Friday. The city said drivers should expect delays in the meantime.