City breaks ground on new water pump station, aimed to combat flooding

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The city is gearing up to build a new water pump station in the San Marco area.

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City leaders along with public works broke ground on the LaSalle Street drainage improvement project on Wednesday.

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“This pump station has been a long time coming,” City Council President, Terrance Freeman said.

The pump station will be nearly 200 yards from the river all to help reduce flooding in the San Marco area.

“Being able to make sure that water stays where water should out in the St. John’s River,” the division leader of Haskell’s water division, Bryan Bedell said.

Watch: San Marco Flooding due to Tropical Storm Nicole

The historic neighborhood is prone to flooding after hurricanes and tropical storms. Areas of San Marco were plagued with severe flooding, following Hurricane Ian back in September. Now construction for the pump will start in June.

“There will be a noticeable difference,” the Haskell director of project development, Joe Kantor said. “The pump station will be able to operate in a flood condition.”

The total cost of the program is $40 million, and it’s funded in part by a $20 million grant from the state. The city is matching the other $20 million.

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Joe Kantor said they anticipate they’ll be able to draw stormwater down in 30 to 45 minutes. The station is expected to be complete in 18 months.