Fort Lauderdale begins stormwater system improvements along Cordova Road in the Rio Vista neighborhood

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – City officials in Fort Lauderdale are preparing to begin a short-term infrastructure project aimed at strengthening stormwater drainage along Cordova Road in the Rio Vista neighborhood. The work, scheduled to start at the end of March, is designed to improve the area’s ability to handle heavy rainfall while maintaining safe road conditions for residents.

The project will take place at 721 Cordova Road and is being carried out through a partnership between the City of Fort Lauderdale and Southeastern Engineering Contractors. Crews will focus on upgrading portions of the local stormwater system to improve drainage performance and reduce the risk of water buildup during storms.

Construction is expected to begin on Monday, March 30, 2026, with completion targeted for Friday, April 10, 2026. Work will generally occur during daytime hours, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. City officials noted that the schedule may change if weather conditions or other unexpected issues arise during construction.

The project involves several improvements to the drainage system beneath the roadway. Workers will install approximately 175 feet of new 15-inch drainage pipe designed to carry stormwater more efficiently away from the surrounding streets.

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In addition to the new piping, construction crews will add one catch basin and two stormwater manholes. These structures help collect and redirect rainwater through the drainage network, allowing water to flow more smoothly through the system and preventing potential flooding.

Once the underground work is finished, the construction team will restore the surface areas affected by the installation. This includes repairing asphalt along the roadway and restoring any landscaping that may be disturbed during construction.

While the project is relatively small in scale, drivers in the area should expect temporary changes to traffic patterns while work is underway.

During daily construction hours, Cordova Road will be restricted to local traffic only between Southeast 9th Street and Southeast 7th Street. Drivers who normally pass through the area will be redirected to alternate routes.

City officials say through traffic will be detoured to Ponce de Leon Drive for the duration of the project. Traffic control personnel will be present near the work zone to guide vehicles and help maintain safe conditions around construction equipment and workers.

Residents and visitors traveling through the area are encouraged to pay close attention to posted signs and follow the directions provided by traffic personnel. Drivers are also advised to move slowly and carefully near the work site to help ensure the safety of both workers and other motorists.

Although the project is expected to last less than two weeks, officials acknowledge that construction activity may cause some inconvenience for nearby residents and commuters.

“We apologize in advance for any inconvenience and thank our neighbors for their patience during construction.”

City representatives say projects like this are part of a broader effort to maintain and upgrade Fort Lauderdale’s infrastructure, particularly systems that manage stormwater during heavy rainfall.

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For residents who have questions or want additional details about the project, the city has provided contact information for staff overseeing the work. Elisa Fernandez, a project manager with the City of Fort Lauderdale, can provide updates or answer questions related to construction progress.

Residents can reach Fernandez by phone at 954-828-6323 or by email at [email protected].

The City of Fort Lauderdale Customer Support Center is also available to assist residents with general inquiries. The support center can be contacted at 954-828-8000 or by email at [email protected].

As construction begins later this month, city officials say the goal is simple—improve the stormwater system and ensure the neighborhood is better prepared for future storms while minimizing disruption to the surrounding community.