If you have driven by IH Park and First Baptist Church in Lakeland lately, you’ve probably wondered what was going on. Over the last two weeks, construction trailers and several pieces of heavy machinery have been ushered in to start work on underground gas pipelines.
According to Lakeland City Engineer, Emily Harrell, what you are seeing is phase one of New Canada Road construction project which includes utility relocation (phase one) and road construction (phase two). “The utility relocation work includes Texas Gas pipelines which cross Canada Rd at IH Park over to First Baptist Church,” Mrs. Harrell told Lakeland Currents. She added, “Texas Gas started their work last week and it will take approximately 6 months to complete (the relocation of the pipeline).”
Mrs. Harrell said the lines must be relocated due to vertical bends in the pipe that are just outside the existing pavement. “Bends cannot be located under a road, so with the New Canada widening, Texas Gas is laying new pipe with vertical bends outside the new roadway’s pavement,” she said.
The New Canada Road project has a very long history, dating back nearly 20 years. That included years of research, committees, public hearings, and the purchase of property to make New Canada Road a reality. According to The City of Lakeland website, the road will be a four-lane divided roadway featuring medians, a 10ft bike, and pedestrian trails on both sides of the roadway. It will stretch approximately 2.3 miles in length running north and south thru the heart of Lakeland.
The cost of the project is expected to exceed $25,000,000. Funds to complete construction will be split between local and federal sources. The project is expected to take several years to complete.
