In a bold move to protect the Indian River Lagoon, the City of Melbourne has embarked on installing one of the largest baffle boxes in the nation.

On August 19, crews began assembling this massive structure on the east side of Apollo Boulevard, directly across from the Embraer Aircraft Assembly Plant.

Manufactured by Oldcastle Infrastructure, the baffle box measures an impressive 30 feet by 31 feet by 24 feet.

Transporting the 24 components and internal baskets required 10 to 12 flatbed trucks to the installation site.

Strategically placed in an existing drainage ditch parallel to the train tracks, this underground system is designed to treat stormwater runoff from an approximately 854-acre drainage basin.

Its chambers are engineered to trap trash, road debris, and other pollutants that wash off streets during heavy rainstorms.

Notably, the baffle box features "nutrient-separating" capabilities, expected to remove about 3,380 pounds of nitrogen and 479 pounds of phosphorus annually—two of the most harmful pollutants entering the Indian River Lagoon.

Historically, stormwater from older neighborhoods drained directly into the lagoon without treatment.

Addressing this, Melbourne has prioritized these areas, currently operating 16 baffle boxes to mitigate pollution.

One such installation at U.S. 1 and Cherry Street is nearing completion.

City Engineer Dani Straub emphasized the strategic approach: "We are looking at ditches and pipe conveyances that we already own and maintain, and we can put boxes like this in those locations."

The Apollo Boulevard Baffle Box project carries a total cost of $2,103,474.

Funding sources include a $1,258,522 grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, $401,184 from the Save Our Indian River Lagoon half-cent local infrastructure surtax fund, and the remaining portion from the city's stormwater utility fund.

Approved by voters in November 2016, the half-cent surtax continues to support projects countywide aimed at reducing pollution entering the Indian River Lagoon.

As Melbourne intensifies its efforts, the community remains hopeful that such initiatives will lead to a healthier, more vibrant lagoon for future generations.