Caloosahatchee pipeline project gets under way

The Caloosahatchee Connect project, which will link the cities of Cape Coral and Fort Myers with a reclaimed water main to be built underneath the Caloosahatchee is expected to give Cape residents more access to water for irrigation as well as improve water quality in the river.

The project has been years in planning and residents on both sides of the river hailed the $15 million project -- to be funded primarly with grant money -- when announced in September of 2018.

Now that its start is nearing, though, not everyone is happy.

Residents who live in the Everest Parkway neighborhood and nearby fear what they say will be disruption during the expected six to eight months of construction.

The uplands portion of the reclaimed water main is being designed along the north side of Everest Parkway. It will be installed in the public right-of-way between the northern asphalt edge of Everest Parkway and the right-of-way line before going to the Everest Water Reclamation Facility.

Temporary detours, road closures and one-way traffic should be anticipated along Everest Parkway throughout construction.