There is a lot of traffic on north Donnelly Street these days – not from cars headed downtown but dump trucks and heavy equipment repairing the road that was washed out during a torrential downpour in October.

The city has hired a construction company, which began work on Tuesday. The project is expected to be completed by May.

“The cost of the reconstruction project is $2,011,500.40, of which $1,167,505.00 will be covered by the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program,” city spokeswoman Misty Sommer says in an email to Lake/Sumter Style.

“In addition to the support of elected officials at the local and state level, the Florida Department of Transportation (District 5) has been instrumental in assisting with the federal funding application, preparing bid documents for the contractor, and supporting initial recovery efforts, including debris removal and placement of fill material immediately following the incident.”

Middlesex Corp. is working around the clock, Sommers says.

“With more than 50 years of experience in bridge replacement, highway and interchange infrastructure, and paving and resurfacing, the firm brings significant expertise to this critical effort.”

The road, which takes a steep dive down to a bridge over a ravine was eight feet under water when a storm suddenly dumped 14–19 inches in Eustis and 10–14 inches in Mount Dora, according to the National Weather Service.

Firefighters had to rescue several drivers. One driver managed to get out of their car before it plunged into the ravine. Some residents were evacuated, including some at Waterman Village whose backyards turned into a raging river with a 40-foot drop off.

The storm resulted in several road closures in Mount Dora and Eustis. Lake County declared a state of emergency for seven days.

Fortunately, visitors and residents were able to find other ways to get downtown.

It really hasn’t affected us,” says Crissy Stile, owner of Barrel of Books and Games on Donnelly Street downtown. “Of course we’re glad to see it being repaired. Construction of Fiddler’s Road has made it a quick zip-around.”

Sommers says consultants and contractors have also been hired to examine ways to improve the overall drainage systems.

“Temporary water flow relief measures have been installed along the west side of Donnelly Street while final engineering recommendations are completed. A temporary mitigation solution is also in place at Lake John as part of the broader basin evaluation.”

 Work is also underway to reroute potable and reclaimed water lines along Grandview Street and Fiddler Avenue.

 The city has been able to secure some outside funding from FEMA.