By Summer Huechtker|January 26, 2021 at 4:33 AM EST - Updated January 26 at 7:11 AM
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of Charleston says flood improvements could soon be coming to a commonly flooded intersection in downtown Charleston.
While it’s no secret that the intersection of King Street and Huger Street easily floods, officials say plans are in the works to improve drainage.
The city’s stormwater management team says the drainage system in place was all installed before the 1980′s.
If construction to relieve flooding begins, officials say the project will be split into two phases.
Plans show Phase One would consist of installing larger pipes so that the intersection floods less severely during small storms at low tides. Additionally, they say this will also help the area drain faster in larger events.
Phase Two will include the addition of a new pump station, which plans show will lift the water out of the low-lying intersection and move it out to the river.
Once this work starts, permit requests show it will require lane and sidewalk closures.
Construction work on phase one will potentially start by early spring, but would be completed in about six months. Phase Two is still in the design and permitting phase and officials say it could take a few years before it’s finished.
Charleston City Council says they are meeting Tuesday to approve who will be awarded the construction contract for Phase One of the project.
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