LUTZ — A stretch of Gunn Highway will close for 28 days beginning Oct. 12 while Hillsborough County replaces an aging stormwater culvert beneath the road.
The existing culvert, near 18830 Gunn Highway, is nearing the end of its lifespan and must be replaced to prevent a failure and keep the road safe, according to the county’s Public Works Department.
The project, part of the county’s Culvert Renewal and Replacement Program, calls for removing a 5-by-10-foot box culvert and installing two 53-by-83-inch elliptical reinforced concrete pipes. It is estimated to cost about $1.3 million.
Drivers will be detoured to Lutz Lake Fern Road, Dale Mabry Highway and Van Dyke Road. The Veterans Expressway is another option, though regular tolls apply. The county cautioned that bad weather could extend the closure.
Message boards along the detour route will post updated information at least seven days before the closure, and the county will share detour details with navigation apps.
The county will hold an open house on the project Sept. 15 in the gymnasium at Walker Middle Magnet School. Public comments will be accepted online through Sept. 21 at publicinput.com/gunnculvertrepair.