Project recap
(See 2-week lookahead map below)
There has been quite a bit of progress this week particularly in and around West Royal Oaks and Jane Way. Additional drainage has been installed that essentially doubles the capacity to evacuate stormwater on West Royal Oaks. Additionally, crews were working in and around Jane Way to set the conditions for establishing the correct drainage elevations. Drainage work on West Royal Oaks will have about a two-week break while other crews relocate both water and gas lines. These water and gas lines are in the way of the improved drainage. The project, BJWSA, and Dominion Energy are working very closely together to resolve these conflicts so that the drainage improvements may continue, especially as we navigate this very busy hurricane season.
Outages
During the next two to three weeks, Mossy Oaks residents will experience very brief water and gas outages while these relocations take place. Notifications of these brief shutdowns will be made via “Notify Me,” Facebook, Task Force representatives, neighborhood walks and the utility companies. Finally, some additional trees will be removed across the entire project area to facilitate better flow of stormwater.
Drainage work
In other news, we held a pre-construction meeting with Gulfstream Construction for drainage work that will be done in the vicinity of Southside Park, Battery Creek Road and on Broad Street. On Monday Aug. 17, Gulfstream Construction will be given its notice to proceed with construction. Residents in and around Southside Park can expect drainage improvements to last about six months. Next week’s update will include planned construction that will occur within the Southside Park area.
Spanish Moss Trail
Work on the Spanish Moss Trail will begin as planned on Aug. 31. Instead of beginning in Basin II, the project will start in Basin I in the vicinity of Rodgers Drive. This slight modification is being made to accommodate both traffic and the more intricate work in Basin I. This modification will reduce the potential for pedestrian and motorist bottlenecks. Signs detailing detours and closures are being created with the help of The Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail. Those enjoying the trail may expect updates from both the City and the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail.
As always, please exercise great caution when traversing the entire Mossy Oaks area. Crews representing the utility companies, the contractor, tree removal companies, and inspectors will be both on foot and traveling in a variety of construction vehicles. I, the work crews and their families thank you in advance for slowing down and driving without distractions, like cell phones.
Finally, please encourage all those affected or interested in the Mossy Oaks Project to register with the “Notify Me” application found on the City of Beaufort website (http://www.cityofbeaufort.org/list/aspx) and subscribe to the Mossy Oaks Stormwater Project updates. This will be the mechanism to receive near real-time updates on the project to include urgent issues like unscheduled road closures or utility interruptions.
We remain on track for an on time and on budget deliver of this project in the December-January timeframe.
As always, I’m available anytime to address comments, concerns or questions. Be safe and have a fantastic week!
Cheers,
Neal Pugliese, Col USMC (Ret)
Chairman
Mossy Oaks Multijurisdictional Drainage Task Force
npugliese@cityofbeaufort.org
