A $505.7 million pipeline that will carry drinking water to Apollo Beach has reached several tunneling milestones along its 26-mile route, according to a Tampa Bay Water column published Wednesday, Sept. 2 in the Osprey Observer.

The South Hillsborough Pipeline will deliver up to 65 million gallons per day to southern Hillsborough County, including Apollo Beach, where the population is expected to double by 2050, according to the project overview. The pipeline is scheduled to be in service by late 2028, with final restoration by summer 2029.

Maribel Medina, a Tampa Bay Water communications representative, wrote that "several major tunneling crossings are already complete." Additional tunneling is underway at State Road 60 and the Alafia River. Medina did not specify which crossings have been finished.

The pipeline route includes 17 tunnel locations that reduce disruption to roads and waterways. About two of the project's 26 miles use trenchless tunneling technology. The remaining 24 miles are being installed by open-trench methods, with crews advancing roughly 30 to 50 feet per day.

Construction began in November 2025.

Crews are working 10 hours per day, six days per week, according to the project's construction FAQ. Open-cut pipe installation has been completed along portions of South Kings Avenue and continues in other areas.

Hillsborough County is contributing up to $84 million toward the project, according to a Tampa Bay Water fact sheet. The Southwest Florida Water Management District has prioritized $145 million in co-funding, and the state has provided an additional $2.9 million in grant funding. Tampa Bay Water selected Garney Construction as the construction manager at-risk.

Medina acknowledged the construction is disruptive to businesses, neighborhoods and commuters. She wrote that the team is working with Hillsborough County on traffic plans and that all detours and road closures are reported to navigation apps including Waze and Google Maps.

Residents can sign up for email alerts at southhillsboroughpipeline.com/contact/ to stay informed about closures along the route.