DESCRIPTION: On Buck Island Road (S-29), several properties have been experiencing flooding during moderate to heavy rain events, and the owners were expressing their concerns to the Town of Bluffton. The Town chose a proactive approach to assist the property owners as they were aware this was a low-lying area and could require an improvement of the existing crossline pipes.

Through the Town’s small purchase program, the team was selected to analyze the upstream drainage area and replace the culverts under Buck Island Road to reduce flooding.

CHALLENGES: The project was designed to replace the existing pipes while remaining inside the present right of way. It was also designed to avoid a recently constructed sidewalk/boardwalk.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Bragg Consulting performed an overview of the stormwater analysis and documentation as well as collaborated on the culvert replacement pipe sizes to minimize/eliminate a change in roadway grade. The roadway design followed SCDOT’s 3R Project guidelines.

Bragg Consulting prepared the final construction plans for the culvert replacement to SCDOT standards. This included coordination with SCDOT on the proposed traffic control plan to allow the road to be closed and traffic detoured as the project was constructed while schools were not in session.

Bragg Consulting was responsible for the SCDOT Encroachment Permit and MS4 Permit as well as utility coordination and developing construction cost estimate.

Construction phase services including developing the bid package with SCDOT specifications, reviewing and responding to contractor RFI’s, reviewing the as-built survey, etc. were performed.