To address rapid population growth across the Tampa Bay region, Garney has officially broken ground on the $505.7 million South Hillsborough Pipeline, a major potable water infrastructure project on Florida’s Gulf Coast that will stretch more than 26 miles.
The Kansas City, Missouri-based water and wastewater contractor began construction in December on what officials say is the largest project in Tampa Bay Water’s history, according to a Dec. 19 company news release. Once complete, the pipeline is expected to significantly expand the region’s drinking water capacity and resilience.
Garney is serving as construction manager at risk on the project, which will ultimately connect three water facilities and deliver finished water farther south to support long-term regional demand.
“We’re building a more resilient drinking water system that keeps pace with the region’s rapid growth and supports reliable service,” Sam Flowers, area manager of Garney’s East Pipe division, said in the release. “Innovative tunneling technology, experienced field crews and 24/7 coordination are all coming together to deliver a critical piece of infrastructure.”
The South Hillsborough Pipeline is divided into two major segments, both overseen by Garney. Segment A includes the installation of more than 89,000 linear feet of 42-inch, 54-inch, and 60-inch finished mortar-lined steel pipe water mains, as well as extensive horizontal directional drilling and microtunneling.
As part of that work, Garney plans to install a 2,300-foot curved microtunnel using a press-fit steel pipe connection system — a construction approach the contractor says has never before been used on a North American project.
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According to the company, the advanced joint system allows the tunnel to follow a precise curved alignment while maintaining the structural integrity needed to protect nearby utilities and existing infrastructure. Garney will self-perform all work associated with Segment A.
Segment B will extend finished water farther south to connect with Hillsborough County’s future South County drinking water facility near the Balm area. This phase will rely on subcontractor support, with JDS, a Lawrenceville, Georgia-based utility contractor, installing approximately 38,000 feet of 60-inch finished mortar-lined steel pipe.
The project comes as contractors and engineering firms increasingly point to water infrastructure as a major growth sector nationwide. During recent earnings calls, industry leaders have highlighted long-term investment needs tied to population growth, climate resilience, and expanding industrial development.
AECOM CEO Troy Rudd previously said, “there is no question that over the next few decades, there needs to be a significant continued investment in traditional infrastructure, whether it’s water infrastructure or transportation.” He also cited the data center boom as a key driver of water system demand.
Similarly, Jacobs CEO Bob Pragada noted that the company’s water sector “continues to be a strong sector for us globally… up 50%.”
Once completed, the South Hillsborough Pipeline will have the capacity to deliver 65 million gallons of drinking water per day, significantly expanding Tampa Bay Water’s regional distribution system. Garney expects to place the pipeline into service by the end of 2028, with final project completion anticipated in the first half of 2029, according to the release.
The project underscores the growing scale and technical complexity of water infrastructure construction as utilities work to meet long-term demand while minimizing disruption to existing communities and systems.
Originally reported by Sebastian Obando, Reporter in Construction Dive.
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