ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The city of St. Petersburg is hoping to bring relief to one neighborhood prone to flooding with a new seawall project.
Neighbors like Linda Smith, who have lived in the Riviera Bay area for years, said they know a thing or two about flooding.
“The whole road is flooded every high tide,” Smith said.
Neighbors said it doesn't just stop at the street, sometimes it ends up in their yards.
“It all ends up in this canal and because I'm on the point I get the brunt of the massive water,” said Steve LeCouve.
Construction on the new project will cost $1.6 million. The city said it plans to remove and raise a 64-inch seawall cap by 18 inches to match an adjacent wall.
“I don't want it to be lost on the residents that action is happening now. I'm so excited that this particular seawall in Riveria Bay is going to be addressed finally,” said City Councilwoman Brandi Gabbard.
Erin Banks, another resident in Riviera Bay, said that would only impact some of the flooding concerns.
“Something also has to be done with the drainage on the road because the canal water comes up through those drains. Unless there's some kind of mechanism to keep the water from coming up, I think the street will continue to flood,” Banks said.
St. Pete leaders say they also plan to install flap gates to help with the drainage system. Before the city can start it, there are plans to make repairs to Smacks Bayou and Boca Ciega first.
Now that the project is approved, the city is waiting on materials to come in to start work. They hope that will be sometime in July.