SANFORD, Fla. — The City of Sanford has begun construction on a large-scale storm drainage installation and roadway restoration project near downtown, which has led to multiple road closures and detours.

What You Need To Know

  • Sanford’s 100-year-old drainage system, Pump Branch, is being replaced as part of the Georgetown Drainage Improvement System to better manage stormwater and reduce flooding

  • The project, already one year underway, is expected to take 7 to 10 years to complete, covering 13 blocks north-south and six blocks east-west, with road closures and traffic detours throughout

  • The project is estimated to cost around $21 million, though designs are still being finalized for certain parts, and residents will experience significant roadway improvements once completed

The infrastructure upgrade aims to replace aging pipes that are over 100 years old and improve the city’s flood management system. The project, known as the Georgetown Drainage Improvement System, will affect several major roads and neighborhoods over the next several years.

Michael Cash, Sanford’s Public Works Manager, explained that the current drainage system, known as Pump Branch, serves as one of the city’s main discharge points into Lake Monroe. However, the system is outdated and has struggled to keep up with modern drainage demands.

“Instead of patching it and trying to make it take more water, we decided to put in a whole new trunk line,” Cash said.

The project, which has been in the works since 2018, was initiated after city officials raised concerns about frequent flooding in certain roadways. The new system will help alleviate pressure from Pump Branch by redirecting water through a new pipeline and feeder lines connected to Lake Monroe. The improvements will not only enhance stormwater management but also restore and upgrade roadways with new curbs and gutters, helping water flow more efficiently.

Construction is already one year in, but the project is expected to take seven to ten years to complete, given the scale of work involved.

“We’re talking 13 blocks north to south and about six blocks east to west,” Cash noted. “That’s a lot of roadways to pave, a lot of pipe to put in, and a lot of utilities to move out of the way.”

While the long-term benefits are clear, residents should prepare for traffic delays, road closures, and detours as the project progresses. Cash acknowledged that the construction will disrupt traffic but emphasized the overall improvements it will bring to the neighborhood.

“At the end of the project, if you live in this neighborhood, it’s going to be greatly enhanced,” he added.

The project’s estimated cost is around $21 million, but designs for certain sections are still being finalized. The city of Sanford has committed to providing regular updates on road closures and construction progress to keep the public informed.