by James Coulter
A damaged stormwater inlet at the intersection of Longleaf and Live Oak Boulevard will be fixed now that the City of Lake Wales has approved expending $28,450 on repairs.
At their meeting on Tues. Feb. 18, 2025, Lake Wales City Commissioners voted unanimously to approve their consent agenda. One item pertained to proposed repairs to a storm inlet at a local intersection.
Located at the intersection of Longleaf and Live Oak Boulevard, the stormwater inlet has received sufficient damage as to affect the roadway upon which it is built.
“The roadway…has begun to sink due to a compromised stormwater inlet and a cracked underground storm pipe,” the city agenda memo stated. “The damaged infrastructure is allowing groundwater intrusion, undermining the integrity of the road and posing a growing safety concern.”
Furthermore, as the memo states, “If left unaddressed, the continued deterioration of the pipe will exacerbate roadway instability, increase repair costs, and present a significant public safety hazard.”
As such, the city was recommended to expend $28,450 to have Odom Contracting perform the repairs. The funds for these repairs will be allocated within the city’s Maintenance & Repairs (M&R) Stormwater Repairs budget.
Odom was chosen for the job as it has “provided the most cost-effective and timely solution, ensuring the structural integrity of the roadway and stormwater system is restored efficiently.”
