Tampa Republic

The City of Tampa has taken a proactive approach to combat soaring construction costs by forming a new Engineering Construction Crew within the Tampa Water Department. This initiative has not only helped the city save money but has also expedited the completion of critical infrastructure projects.

According to Mayor Jane Castor, "The City of Tampa is dedicated to revitalizing our water infrastructure and providing the best possible service to our customers. This team will enable us to complete more projects quickly and efficiently, stretching our dollars to the best extent possible."

The nine-person Engineering Construction Crew, with a combined 90 years of experience, has been instrumental in saving more than $400,000 in construction costs since its inception in late 2023. By completing a variety of projects in-house, the crew has allowed the Tampa Water Department to have more oversight on the construction process, ultimately reducing costs compared to hiring third-party contractors.

Aside from cost savings, the team is also contributing to the City's affordable housing goal by connecting housing developments to utility services quicker and cheaper. Furthermore, they are expediting the completion of construction projects and providing the department with more oversight on specific infrastructure work.

This innovative approach comes at a crucial time when labor and material costs have significantly increased, putting a strain on funding for infrastructure projects. The efforts of the Engineering Construction Crew are not only helping the city navigate these challenges but also ensuring that vital infrastructure work is completed efficiently.

For more information or general inquiries, individuals can contact the Tampa Water Department at 306 East Jackson Street, Tampa, Florida, or call (813) 274-8211.