I’ve been addressing a lot of road-resurfacing complaints as of late. I think it’s destined to be an ongoing problem.

This week brings new questions about a cracked-up Cleveland Street, as well as an answer to my inquiry about what’s happening over on Platt Street.

The former comes from reader Elaine Torina, who wrote in to ask if the city plans to remove dips in the center lane of Cleveland between Willow and Howard avenues.

“It is one of the main arteries out of downtown Tampa,” Torina wrote via e-mail. “It appears that the very deep dimples are caused by a worn out and collapsing drainage pipe that runs down the middle of the road. Drivers have to do a lot of swerving to avoid the dimples, which becomes very scary during heavy traffic in the late afternoon.”

Cleveland was repaved a few years ago, but the problem of uneven surfacing has returned. As of my deadline, I’m still not sure if this project is on the city’s hot list. I’ll let you know as soon as I find out.

Moving on to Platt Street, I got a call back from Ken Privette with the city’s Public Works Department after asking about construction through the road’s center lane around Hyde Park Avenue.

Privette explained the sewer department is rehabbing the existing pipeline under Platt. As of March 9., he expected the project to take at least two more weeks.

Scheduling efforts are under way to ensure construction interferes with Bayshore Boulevard traffic as little as possible.

Direct questions to the Public Works Department at 274-8333.

Working against wastewater

Construction began this month on the Bayshore Pump Station upgrade and force main relocation.

The project provides for larger pumps, a permanent standby generator and flow diversion at the pump-station site, located at the corner of Mason/Stovall Place and Bayshore Boulevard, south of Bay to Bay Boulevard. The idea is to eliminate wastewater overflows on Bayshore and in the Coachman Avenue area.

All travel lanes of Bayshore will remain open during construction, except for a currently unscheduled two-day period when workers will install the new wastewater force main under southbound lanes. Dates on this closure are forthcoming.

The force main relocation should be complete by July, and the pump station in September. Combined construction costs are approximately $2 million.



Buckle up the little ones

Too often, child injury or death occurs in car accidents because child-safety seats were used improperly. On March 23, drivers can evaluate their own children’s safety restraints during a free inspection program at AAA Autoclub South.

Hosted by The Sit Safe Child Passenger Safety Program, the event runs from 3 to 5 p.m. at AAA, 1515 N. West Shore Blvd.

Professionals will instruct parents on proper child-seat installation techniques, check to see if the seat is properly secured and determine if the seat is appropriate for each child. Vehicles of all types and brands are welcome.

And as always, stay safe out there.