Since last August, divers from Cape Romain Contractors have descended from a barge anchored at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park to shore up 33 pilings under the park that were in a state of disrepair.
The project, under the director of Matt St. Clair, Director of Public Projects & Facilities for the City of Beaufort, is expected to conclude this week.
The divers first power-washed each 12-inch pre-stressed concrete pile. Fiberglass jackets were used to encase each piling. An epoxy, which was mixed on the barge, was pumped through a hose that the divers then used to create a seal between the jacket and the piling.
The waterfront park is supported by more than 500 pilings. The last repair project was in 2018, when 14 were repaired, St. Clair said.
The waterfront project cost $590,000, and was funded primarily through a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant.
Other current Public Works projects in the City of Beaufort:
Renovation of The Arsenal. The upper and lower roofs are being replaced on this historic building, which dates from 1798 and now houses the Beaufort History Museum. The work also includes restoring windows and renovating restrooms. Work on the roofs is expected to be completed this week.
Greenlawn Drive streetscape. The street has been widened; an underground duct bank now houses all utilities. Sidewalks, lighting, and street parking have been added. The project is expected to be completed in late winter.
