Tampa Bay Water has started construction on a 26-mile underground water pipeline to serve southern Hillsborough County, with completion expected by the end of 2028.

The $500 million project will install a 5-foot-diameter steel pipe capable of delivering up to 65 million gallons of water daily. The pipeline is part of Tampa Bay Water’s 20-year master plan to address rapid regional growth.

Tunneling work is currently underway near the intersection of Kings Avenue and Bloomingdale Avenue in Brandon. Crews are digging two 25-foot-deep shafts on opposite sides of the road to house equipment that will tunnel beneath existing utilities and roadways without disrupting traffic.

Sam Flowers, area manager with Garney Construction, said tunneling was chosen to minimize impacts on the public and avoid disturbing existing utilities. The work at this location is expected to be completed by summer.

While most of the 26-mile pipeline will be installed through open-trench construction, several sections will require tunneling, including a crossing beneath the Alafia River that will need shafts nearly twice as deep as the current Brandon site.

Tampa Bay Water communications manager Brandon Moore said the infrastructure project is essential to meet the growing water demands from new residents, businesses, hospitals, schools, and emergency services moving into southern Hillsborough County.

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