Manatee County sewer replacement project frustrating some

Three months into a $3.4 million sewer replacement project by Manatee County utilities at the end of 51st Street West and Ninth Avenue Drive West, some residents are growing increasingly concerned about their safety because a large portion of the road is closed.

Regina Eckert said in an email to the Bradenton Herald that the project is affecting some 40 homeowners who have been cut off from safe access to their own homes. Most of all, they fear how that would affect emergency vehicles into an area where the majority of residents are elderly and some in poor health.

“This is a true hazard to our safety,” said Eckert. “We have had no communication with the exception of a vague letter a few months ago stating there would be construction.”

Eckert said many residents are having to stockpile garbage because they have missed several trash pick ups. She said workers tried one time to pick up all the trash cans with a front end loader, but that they dumped them all near a corner home and for some reason, some were emptied, some were not, “and some cans went missing,” she said.

Nick Azzara, Manatee County communications outreach manager, said first responders are kept up to date daily on the project’s status as well as any other major road construction projects. First responders are briefed on detours so that EMS, law enforcement and fire departments all have alternate routes available to them for quick access.

“The county’s Call Aided Dispatch system alerts responders of major roadwork when there are calls in the area,” he said. “The county has not received any notices or calls from the public that EMS response times have been delayed along 51st Street West. Crews that work the area know about roadwork and detour times, so they’re well prepared to reach homes in the area with minimal interruption.”

Azzara said the county encourages homeowners to call its customer service line at 941-741-8811 for any other issues, including water service notifications and trash service interruptions.

This story was originally published May 23, 2016 at 5:06 PM with the headline "Manatee County sewer replacement project frustrating some."