Sept. 25, 2020
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Please see the two maps that detail work in the following two weeks in Basin I (vicinity of the Duck Pond) and Basin II (vicinity of Southside Park).
Basin I (vicinity of Duck Pond)
We enjoyed great weather this week which contributed to a significant amount of work being done. A new drainage pipe was installed on the corner of Jane Way and North Royal Oaks following the successful relocation of water and gas lines. Final shaping work was completed in the Jane Way Canal. Accumulated silt that built up for nearly 25 years has been removed.
Work on the Spanish Moss Trail has progressed very nicely with nearly 50%, or 600 feet, of steel sheet piling driven into the trail. These 20- to 30-foot steel sheets are reinforcing the trail while preventing water seepage from the creek to the residential areas.
Next week, utility relocations and drainage improvements continue in the vicinity of Jane Way and Battery Creek Road. Ditch clearing will occur throughout the entire project area. This is meticulous work that requires detail work to ensure the depths and widths are correct. The ditch work will ensure water flows from high points to lower points and effectively and efficiently flow away from residential areas.
Next week, work continues on the Spanish Moss Trail to finish the remaining 50% of the steel sheet piles into the trail. Looking ahead two weeks, we will begin major drainage work on First Blvd. and Jane Way. This will require that street to be closed for about one week while sewage, water and massive drainpipes are relocated or installed. This will significantly improve the drainage from the middle school to the Duck Pond.
Further, in the next couple of weeks, BJWSA will be replacing a sewage line in the vicinity of West Royal Oaks and Battery Creek. We can expect a one-day road closure to accommodate this work.
Finally, we have been authorized by DHEC to remove accumulated silt from the mouth of the Duck Pond. This maintenance and repair work will also improve drainage from the Jane Way Canal to the Duck Pond.
We appreciate the patience of the residents as they have dealt with the numerous water service interruptions. These interruptions are absolutely necessary so that new stormwater drainage can be installed at the correct elevations.
Basin II (vicinity of Southside Park)
In Basin II (vicinity of Southside Park) work across the Battery Creek Road has resulted in fully functioning and correctly located drainage pipes. These pipes will increase drainage capability and reduce or eliminate the potential of flooding across from Southside Park. The road over the pipes is now being prepared for asphalt work. This portion of road is expected to be closed for the next two weeks.
This week, the drainage ditch at Lawton Farm Road was graded and 60-inch pipes were delivered to the area. Next week grading will continue, and drainage pipes will be installed. The work to install these large pipes is very tedious. Following pipe installation in the Broad Street area, grass will be planted that will cover the newly installed drainage pipes.
The project may continue to work through the weekend based on progress made during the week.
Safety!
There been a tremendous amount of construction traffic in and around Mossy Oaks. Our law enforcement partners (City of Beaufort and the Sheriff’s Office) have been terrific by increasing their patrols throughout the area. We also continue to be very appreciative of the public for driving safely. Please 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. 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 is the mechanism to receive near real-time updates on the project to include urgent issues like unscheduled road closures or utility interruptions.
At present, we are on track for an on-time, on-budget project delivery in December-January.
I have had the pleasure of speaking with many residents over the past week on numerous issues. Please do not hesitate to contact me anytime and I will do my best to address any comments, concerns, or questions as rapidly as possible. Please know that no issue is too large or too small. We have made a tremendous amount of progress and there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Have a fantastic week!
Neal Pugliese, Col USMC (Ret)
Chairman
Mossy Oaks Multijurisdictional Drainage Task Force
npugliese@cityofbeaufort.org