Sewer force main break causes construction, road closures in Ocala

A map depicts the area where there will be road closures until Oct. 15, along with what detours travelers will take to avoid construction [Courtesy of the city of Ocala].

A section of Southeast 17^th Street in Ocala will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Oct. 15 to allow a contractor to replace an outdated and leaking sewer force main pipe, according to a city news release.

The closure, which began on Oct. 1, is linked to a $645,000 project put into action after the sewer force main broke recently, according to city of Ocala spokesperson Ashley Dobbs.

“The pipe was in poor condition due to corrosion and had a leak approximately two months ago,” Dobbs wrote in an email. “The Water Resources Department evaluated the pipe and the decision was made to extend the 17^th Street force main replacement project to include this additional section of pipe.”

While the issue was brought to the city’s attention because of the leak, the system is regularly assessed and sees updates and maintenance as needed, Dobbs said.

“We routinely assess the condition of our system and replace those lines that have reached the end of their service life,” she said.

Travelers in this area can expect traffic delays, noise disturbances, dust and heavy equipment in the area while the work ensues.

Traffic will be redirected wherever necessary. The following detours will be in place until construction is complete, according to a press release from the city:

• Traffic traveling east on SE 17th Street will be routed south on SE Seventh Avenue, east on SE 18th Street to Lake Weir Avenue, north on Lake Weir Avenue and back to SE 17th Street.
• Traffic traveling west on SE 17th Street will be routed north on SE 11th Avenue, northwest on SE 16th Street to SE Ninth Avenue, south on SE Ninth Avenue to SE 16th Place, west on SE 16th Place to south Magnolia and back to SE 17th St.

The work is being completed by Miller Pipeline, the city’s water resources task order contractor.