Living Through Construction

When the City of Fort Lauderdale’s WaterWorks 2011 project is completed, more than 40 percent of the City will have new sanitary sewer service.  In addition, residents in other parts of the City will experience improvements in their water service as water and wastewater facilities are upgraded. 

When construction begins in your neighborhood, you may experience some inconveniences as crews work to improve your community.  This brochure provides information about living through the construction in your neighborhood.

On the Road
1. Pay Attention.  As you travel through a construction zone, you may have to have to change lanes or follow a detour.  Be on the look out for highway signs, flaggers or orange barrels and cones to direct you.
2. Stay back, slow down.  You never know when the unexpected will happen, especially in a construction zone.  Leave extra space between your vehicle and the one in front of you to help avoid a rear-end collision.  Follow the posted speed limit signs.   
3. Plan ahead.  A few extra minutes may be added to your trip as you navigate through the construction.  Be sure to leave early in order to arrive at your destination on time.  Delays are only temporary as crews work to bring your community better utility service.

Time Will Tell
Construction can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months.  Though you’ll be given and estimated construction completion date, unforeseen factors such as bad weather may affect when construction actually ends in your area. 

Property Concerns
1. Give ‘em room. Crews need to have free access to the work area therefore, vehicles and other personal property should be moved out of the right of way.    Any damage caused to your property will be addressed prior to completion of the construction project and your property will be returned to as good as or better condition.
2. Pardon the Interruption. Crews will try to minimize inconveniences to property owners.  However, you may experience some water service interruption as well as noise and dust problems. 
3. Be Careful. Although hazardous work areas will be secured overnight with a safety fence or other precautions, please stay away from these areas and be careful. 

Construction Related Questions
I don’t want the construction contractor damaging my property, how will you prevent this?
The Construction Contractor is to work only in the public right-of-way and is not to go on private property. He is required to restore any damage to public or private property that he may cause. Private property damage will be handled as claims against the construction contractor’s insurance policy. Before any construction starts in the public right-of-way, the Construction Contractor and the City’s Inspector will carefully videotape the existing condition of the street and those portions of adjacent properties that abut the work area. This videotape will serve as the evidence as to whether any damage in question might have been a pre-existing condition.

Who do I call when the construction contractor creates a problem for me and I want some action to resolve it?
The City will have both a Construction Inspector and a Construction Manager watching each construction project. If you have a problem, call 954-522-2604 and tell the Waterworks 2011 representative your address. We will have the Construction Inspector come to your residence and work with the Construction Contractor to address the problem.

The construction contractor is going to tear up the street. How will I get in and out of my home?
As a general rule, the Construction Contractor is not supposed to block access to your house for more than two hours during a workday, and he has to make provision for safe access to your home during the night and on weekends. However, there may be occasions when the nature of the work forces the contractor to close access to your driveway for longer than two hours. The City’s Inspector will be at the work site throughout the day, and he will work with you to solve any problems which might arise. If you encounter difficulty, call 954-522-2604 and we will direct the inspector to meet with you and the contractor at your house and get the problem addressed.

How will garbage, recycling, bulk trash, or yard waste pick-up occur if the street in front of my house is blocked due to construction?
In most cases, the contractor will be able to move the road barricades to allow access for the pickup. However, in a few cases, the construction activity may completely block the roadway limiting access for the trash collection trucks. In this case, the contractor will move the collection cart or recycling bin to the end of the street and will return it after the pick-up has occurred. To ensure that the correct cart or bin is returned to you, the contractor may place a piece of masking tape or other temporary marking on your cart or bin noting your house number or other identification. If you see this type of identification on your cart or bin, please leave it in place until the construction is complete on your street.

In the case of bulk trash or yard waste, the contractor may move the material to a location where the collection truck can access it. In addition, during construction the sanitation crews may service your area at an earlier time than you normally expect them to be there. To assist the sanitation crews in continuing to provide you with efficient and uninterrupted service, we ask that you please place your garbage and yard waste carts, recycling bins, and bulk materials at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your regularly scheduled pickup days. If you have any questions regarding trash pick-up, please call the City of Fort Lauderdale Customer Service Line at 954-828-8000.