JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The LaSalle Street pump station construction is entering phase two in April, which will require a detour for four to six weeks around LaSalle Street and San Marco Boulevard.

Jacksonville City Councilmember Joe Carlucci explained the work is to replace the 30 inch stormwater pipes with 60 inch ones.

Not only that, but the 60 inch pipes will have flaps on the ends that go out to the St. Johns River, so that way when the river rises, it won’t force water right back into the pipes that are draining the area out.

One business owner is looking forward to the difference that will make for the flooding issues, but she’s not looking forward to this detour.

“It absolutely has to happen because there’s no way we can sustain another hurricane season,” said Flamebroiler Owner Jackie Grzebin.

Grzebin has found herself making several trips to her San Marco location in the rain, trying to keep as much flood water out as possible.

She’s been on board with the LaSalle pump station project throughout construction, but she’s worried about what a detour around the intersection for the next 4-6 weeks will do to her business – particularly when it comes to third party delivery drivers like DoorDash and Grub Hub.

“If they are stuck in traffic or those roads aren’t accessible to them, that’s 55-60% of our business that won’t be able to order from us,” Grzebin said.

The detour will run along Hendricks, leaving a single lane open for traffic for folks who live, work or are going to a business closer to the intersection.

“Access is the number one priority, aside from safety, obviously,” Carlucci said.

Carlucci says there will be signage to make sure people know how to get to the businesses.

He says there will be minor detours on residential streets for the next several months, but once all is said and done, the pump station will be capable of pumping 70,000 gallons of water per minute.

“It’s not easy, it’s not the best situation now, but it will be 100% better in the future with not having to board up your business every time it rains every 30 minutes,” Carlucci said.

“It is worth it,” Grzebin said. “It needs to be done, but we want that to be done with the least impact possible.”

Carlucci hosted a meeting Thursday night, alongside the construction team, to answer questions and get feedback from residents and employees in the area.