Basin I (vicinity of Duck Pond)
Work in the vicinity of the Duck Pond continues at a very brisk pace, including relocating utility service lines to accommodate an improved drainage system. Despite some very heavy local rainfall, the drainage system thus far appears to be handling rainwater in conjunction with high tides fairly well … even with the drainage system under construction.
BJWSA, Dominion Energy and SCDOT continue to be critical partners as they either directly or indirectly relocate critical infrastructure to accommodate the improved drainage system. Over the past week, we’ve fielded questions regarding the high pace of our efforts. Simply stated, there are six weather systems in the Atlantic or the Gulf of Mexico and we hope to achieve as much progress as possible before a potential storm hits. Should a significant storm strike our area, we hope to limit flooding as much as humanly possible.
Over the next week, residents within Mossy Oaks may expect further utility service interruptions based on necessary relocations to accommodate new storm drainage pipes. Again, we know these utility interruptions are disruptive and we will do everything to reduce the impact to residents.
Finally, the steel sheet pile wall is being installed and driven into the Spanish Moss Trail to prevent tidal water from seeping under the trail into the residential areas. Currently, about 300 feet of 30-foot-high steel sheet piling has been driven into the trail so far with about 900 feet left to go.
At present, it appears that the work on the Spanish Moss Trail remains on schedule.
Next week, utility relocations and drainage improvements continue on Jane Way, West Royal Oaks, South Royal Oaks, North Royal Oaks, and Battery Creek Boulevard. The work being done in these areas will include gas and water relocations, pipe installation, and ditch grading. In two weeks, please expect First Street to be closed at Jane Way while new pipes are installed under the road. We will also take this opportunity to replace the sewage lines in the same location.
Finally, the Spanish Moss Trail will continue to be closed between Rodgers and Broome to accommodate sheet pile wall installation.
Basin II (vicinity of Southside Park)
In Basin II, majority of work has been done on Battery Creek Road in the vicinity of the BJWSA pump station and Southside Park. The work on Battery Creek Road includes installing two 60-inch pipes placed at the correct elevation leading from the west to east side of the road. While the drainage pipes will be functional on Monday, Sept. 21, the road will continue to be closed to prepare for repaving. Please expect Battery Creek Road to be closed for another 10-14 days. Given the impact to the public, the contractor will be working through this weekend again, depending on weather.
Next week, the drainage ditch on Lawton Farm Road will be graded to prepare for the installation of improved drainage pipes. Following grading the ditch, two 60-inch pipes will be installed and dirt will be backfilled onto the pipes. It is expected that the Broad Street ditch will be ready for pipe installation in a one to two weeks. Following that, grass will be planted to cover the newly installed drainage pipes.
Safety!
There continues to be a tremendous amount of construction traffic in and around Mossy Oaks. We’re grateful to our law enforcement partners (City of Beaufort and the Sheriff’s Office) for increasing their patrols and placing speed monitors along the Battery Creek Boulevard. We are also very appreciative of the public for driving safely. We continue to ask that drivers be mindful of children, cyclists, and other drivers. Between now and November, we can expect increased traffic of all sorts to transit the project area. Please exercise extreme caution. I, the work crews, and their families thank you in advance for maintaining a very safe environment for all of us.
Stay informed
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 (https://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.
I’m very pleased to report that at this point, the project remains on track for an on-time and on-budget delivery of this project in the December-January timeframe.
As always, I’m available anytime to address comments, concerns or questions. We have achieved terrific momentum and with that momentum comes progress.
Neal Pugliese, Col USMC (Ret)
Chairman
Mossy Oaks Multijurisdictional Drainage Task Force
npugliese@cityofbeaufort.org