Ware's Creek flood-control project near finish line. Really

The monumental nuisance still frustrates some residents living along Ware's Creek -- those few remaining who must endure the final work on the $57.8 million flood mitigation project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' problem-plagued project should be complete in less than a month.

Given the time span of this project, "should" would be the operative word in the previous sentence. At a time of unbounded optimism, this final phase had been expected to be finished in May 2014. Almost two years later, here we are. Hope springs eternal.

The idea of cleaning up the formerly mud- and debris-clogged waterway dates back decades. The all-too-numerous delays underscore the absolute frustration over this monumental undertaking. Once local officials agreed to pursue the project, securing federal funding took years.

The most bizarre tale during the project: Who can forget the pig carcasses dumped into the creek, attracting a horde of vultures? After butchering some wild hogs for a 2012 holiday barbecue, the remains of about eight or so got tossed into the water. Ick. The foolish culprit fessed up and cleaned up what was left.

In retrospect, it's quite comical that in October 2011 a Manatee County official addressed a crowd of 70 on the eve of ground-breaking for the project -- to give thanks for the residents' patience for a solution to the frequent flooding of the creek.

That patience disappeared under the strain of complications and delays that plagued Phase II, the one still undone. The City of Bradenton should stage an appreciation celebration for both the completion of the project and for the Ware's Creek residents who survived this ordeal.

This story was originally published March 26, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Ware's Creek flood-control project near finish line. Really ."