OUC and the City of Orlando are working together to build a better Orlando by modernizing essential water and sewer systems that keep our community running. Beneath the heart of downtown, crews are taking on one of the area’s oldest sections of underground infrastructure – replacing nearly 7,000 feet of an existing transmission water main under Summerlin Avenue, from South Street to Marks Street. The upgrade strengthens service for the historic neighborhoods of Lake Eola Heights, Fern Creek, Thornton Park, and Park Lake, ensuring they’re equipped to meet both today’s needs and tomorrow’s growth.
This newsletter clipping from 1941 highlights the installation of the very water main OUC is replacing today.
The existing cast iron water main, installed in 1941, has served the community for more than eight decades. Now, it’s being replaced with durable, corrosion-resistant ductile iron pipe – an investment designed to support reliable drinking water delivery, fire protection and long-term system resilience.
Construction began in January 2025 and is expected to wrap up in early 2028. Crews must dig seven to 15 feet below the surface to reach the old pipe, closing Summerlin Avenue one block at a time and limiting cross-street access as needed. In a dense, built-out area filled with layers of utilities – some mapped, some long-forgotten, every foot of progress requires precision.
“It all adds complexity to the project,” says Natalie Urick, Senior Engineer – Distribution, noting the challenges of navigating busy streets, tight corridors and aging infrastructure.
Throughout the work, OUC and the City of Orlando have coordinated closely with residents and businesses to minimize disruption. Temporary water mains have kept service interruptions brief, and communication has been constant – through social media content, news media engagement, broadcast alerts, door-to-door outreach, and neighborhood partnerships.
Bricks on the historic streets will be preserved and replaced, including spots previously covered in asphalt.
At the same time, OUC and the City of Orlando are using this opportunity to deliver broader infrastructure improvements along the busy corridor. Crews are repairing and replacing adjacent sewer lines, upgrading stormwater systems to reduce localized flooding, and restoring the historic brick streets with care – including areas previously patched with asphalt.
When the underground work is complete, Summerlin Avenue will also see enhancements above ground, such as new pedestrian signals, improved crosswalks, and ADA-accessible curb ramps to support a safer, more walkable community.
The project marks Phase 1 of the Summerlin Avenue modernization effort. Phase 2 will continue south of Anderson Street to Annie Street, with OUC prioritizing upgrades in areas where aging infrastructure is located – especially in and around downtown Orlando.
Through projects like this, OUC is reinvesting in the community—strengthening the systems that help Central Florida thrive today while shaping a more resilient, more connected region for generations to come.
