UPDATE 4:25 PM 4-15-22
Some good news--great news, actually--for those who drive through South Tampa.
Originally, Tampa city officials had said it would be Monday or Tuesday before the intersection of Gandy and Himes was re-paved and open to traffic after Thursday's big water main break. But Jay Azzarelli of Azarelli Paving now tells News Channel 8 that area will be finished and the barricades taken down by this evening.
"I'm going to have a paving crew out here this afternoon," Azzarelli said, "so they can have this road opened for them this weekend."
Azzarelli said the city contractor was expected to bring in fill to take care of the hole where the water main broke.
The pipeline was actually repaired last night, but the city had said the streets would not be open until the re-paving was completed.
We'll have the very latest information for you as soon as it becomes available.
Tampa city officials now say crews have repaired a pipeline that caused a large water main break at Gandy and Himes on Thursday.
However, restoring the pavement will take some time, and officials say the barricades will remain up until sometime on Tuesday. The work not only means big traffic disruptions but it's not good for businesses in the immediate area, either. "With the traffic out here today, said "Big Island Poke" restaurant owner Brittany Eppler, "or lack of being able to get to our restaurant, we've had to close out early on one of our places where we generate thousands per day. And it's pretty rough."
Another area business owner, Luis Zamora, from "Vino E Pasta" on Gandy, tells News Channel 8 "it's the money. And the city does not like me to pay anything late. So they'd better do something about that."
Officials say the road will not re-open until it's re-paved.
photo credit: Tampa Water Department.