St. Petersburg City Council unanimously approved a $147,451 contract with Jacobs Engineering Group on Sept. 24 to study the installation of flood gates that could protect multiple neighborhoods from tidal and storm surge impacts.

The proposed system would place flood gates at two bridges along Canal #7 in Shore Acres, the city’s lowest-lying neighborhood, at 46th Avenue and Bayou Grande Boulevard Northeast. Officials will also examine two alternative locations and assess whether a planned bridge at Smacks Bayou could accommodate a flood gate.

The project would benefit nearly a quarter of the city, according to Councilmember Mike Harting. It would impact neighborhoods including Edgemoor, Placido Bayou, Euclid Heights, Harris Park, Allendale, and parts of Northeast Park, Magnolia Heights, and Snell Isle. Most of these areas experienced flooding from Hurricane Helene’s storm surge and Hurricane Milton’s rainfall.

The flood gates, similar to those used in New Orleans, would operate remotely or through sensors. During major rain events or storm surge, closing the gates would allow the stormwater system to function while preventing surge from reaching inland areas as far west as 16th Street.

Engineering Director Brejesh Prayman said the channels along 54th and 45th Avenues North carry stormwater through Shore Acres to Tampa Bay. Each six inches of water in these channels represents 52 million gallons of storage capacity.

Councilmember Brandi Gabbard, whose district encompasses much of the affected area, supported the study but emphasized that approval to study the concept does not guarantee implementation. She noted resident concerns about prioritizing one neighborhood over another and stressed the need to ensure the project doesn’t simply redirect flooding elsewhere.

Jacobs Engineering will analyze appropriate gate widths, assess potential impacts on water quality, and help navigate permitting and regulatory requirements.

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