The city has teamed up with David Mancini & Sons, Inc. to overhaul a tired old sewer force main on NE 38th Street, stretching from NE 12th Ave. all the way to the luxurious greens of the Coral Ridge Country Club. The construction crew will be laying down a spankin' new high-density polyethylene pipeline, and while they're at it, they'll make sure the roads get a fresh new coat if they’re in need of some TLC. Brace yourselves for the groundbreaking on April 1, 2024. The job's expected to wrap up in fall 2025.

According to the details shared on Fort Lauderdale's city website, this won't just be a simple switcheroo. They're talking about replacing over two miles of the old iron mains with pipes up to 42 inches in diameter. Once they fire up the engines come April 1, you'll see the action Monday through Friday, bright and early at 7 a.m. till 7 p.m., and don’t be startled if you catch them working after hours. The first phase of this pipedream kicks off along NE 13th Ave., NE 50th Ct., and several other local roadways. But don't get too comfy; schedules might flip-flop if the weather decides to play dirty or if some other curveballs come flying.

For the locals wondering how this will mess with your daily drive, expect to see some orange cones decorating NE 13th Ave., NE 50th Ct., and a bunch of neighboring streets. Single lane closures are on the cards, but traffic honchos will be on-site to show you the way. If you live on these roads, heads up: each one's getting a 10-day roadblock party, but residents can sneak through. And for those who zip along Commercial Blvd., you're looking at a lane shutdown westbound between NE 15th Ave. and NE 12th Ave. during the graveyard shift from April 1 through 11—left turns from eastbound Commercial to northbound NE 13th Ave. are a no-go, so plan on a detour.

The city is nudging neighbors to keep a cool head during this construction jungle gym and keep eyes peeled for updates on their website. So before you honk your horn in frustration, remember, it's all for pipes that won't crumble to pieces. For those seeking the nitty-gritty or itching to give a piece of their mind, get in touch with Cyrill Garcia, the city's project manager, at 954-828-5867 or drop a line at [email protected]. Alternatively, Alejandra Suarez at David Mancini & Sons can be reached at 305-775-5370 or [email protected] for the scoop on construction deets.