Folly Beach, S.C., to vote on $7.4 million stormwater infrastructure project

According to WCSC News, the city of Folly Beach, South Carolina, is considering upgrading a nearly 80-year-old portion of its stormwater infrastructure.

Folly Beach City Council will meet soon to vote on whether to award $7.4 million to a construction company for the proposed improvements.

According to WCSC News and Folly Beach city officials, the $7.4 million is funded from a grant received from the South Carolina Infrastructure Investment Program (through the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority).

Plans would include replacing all of the existing stormwater pipes, drains and curb inlets along Center Street, from the Folly River to Arctic Avenue, to improve water flow and reduce flooding.

Director of Public Worls Eric Lutz stated that during storm season, the city experiences challenges with stormwater flooding and backing up into intersections. The current system can’t handle that level of water, Lutz said.

Lutz also noted that about $500,000 of the grant would also go towards replacing aging water mains island-wide, which carry safe drinking water to homes and businesses.

Another part of this project Lutz says is adding green infrastructure along the sidewalks and curb inlets, including rain gardens and previous concrete. These additions would help reduce the amount of water entering the system and improve water quality.

If approved by the city council, Lutz says they expect a contractor to break ground on this project in May, with the project expected to reach completion by the end of May 2026.

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