News Summary
Charleston County is initiating a $2.7 million drainage project on Central Park Road to address severe flooding on James Island. The project, carried out by Truluck Construction, will begin on June 9, 2025, and is expected to significantly mitigate flooding issues by elevating the road and installing additional drainage pipes. The road will remain closed between Riverland Drive and Fleming Road, though local access to the Fleming Road intersection will remain available. This project is part of a wider strategy to improve infrastructure and combat flooding in the region.
Charleston County is set to commence a significant $2.7 million drainage project on Central Park Road located on James Island, with the primary aim of alleviating persistent flooding issues that have affected the area during high tides. The construction is scheduled to begin on June 9, 2025, and is expected to last until November 2025.
As part of the drainage updates, Central Park Road will be closed to traffic between Riverland Drive and Fleming Road during the construction period. Despite this closure, access to the Fleming Road intersection will remain open for local residents. To accommodate motorists, detour routes will be made available, guiding them through Fleming Road, Folly Road, Maybank Highway, and Riverland Drive while the roadwork is in progress.
The project will be carried out by Truluck Construction, which plans to elevate Central Park Road by two feet. Furthermore, the project includes the installation of three additional pipes equipped with tidal gates and valves. These new structures will work to block excessive floodwater and redirect it, aiming to significantly mitigate flooding concerns in the region.
Background and Flooding Concerns
Central Park Road has a history of severe flooding issues, particularly evident during high tide events. Local residents have reported instances of water rising high enough to submerge car tires, leading to dangerous and inconvenient conditions. In some extreme cases, reports have surfaced of alligators crossing the flooded streets, highlighting the distressing situation faced by the community during flood conditions. Additionally, the neighboring James Island Creek is known to completely flood Central Park Road during high tides, exacerbating flooding concerns for local residents.
This project is one component of a broader strategy designed to address flooding challenges in the Charleston area. The drainage improvements were identified in a comprehensive 2020 study conducted by the city of Charleston, which focused on the Central Park drainage basin. This study highlighted the need for adequate flood alleviation measures to protect the area’s infrastructure and residents.
Future Outlook
Once completed, the drainage project aims to eliminate flooding issues for a storm event that occurs once every 25 years. This is a crucial step in the overall effort to enhance the resilience of James Island against heavy rainfall and rising tides brought upon by climate change and other environmental factors.
The drainage project is expected to be completed by spring 2026, marking a pivotal moment for the residents of James Island as they anticipate improvements in their roadway infrastructure and overall quality of life.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: James Island Central Park Road Closed
- Wikipedia: Flood
- Count on 2: James Island Stormwater Drainage Project
- Google Search: Storm Drainage Projects
- ABC News 4: Charleston County Awards Contract
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flood
- Live 5 News: Downtown Charleston Flood Drainage Project
- Google News: Charleston Flooding
- Charleston City Paper: $117 Million Sewer Project
