Construction on the new Beaufort fire station on Ribaut Road is expected to start in October and be completed by next summer, city leaders said. The one-plus acre site at 1120 Ribaut Road is ideally situated for fire protection, Beaufort City Manager Scott Dadson said.

The site is geographically positioned between Port Royal’s main station and Beaufort’s current Fire Headquarters near the intersection of Ribaut and Boundary Street.

“A lot of work has gone into locating and securing this site, designing an effective fire station that also fits our Lowcountry look, and working through the various permitting. We are thrilled to be moving closer to construction,” Dadson said. “The property is ideally located considering where most of our service calls originate and our partnership with the Town of Port Royal.”

The new facility will replace the outdated one beside Beaufort Middle School and across from Mossy Oaks Elementary on Mossy Oaks Road.

The entire fire station project, including site acquisition, design, construction and fixtures/furnishings, is financed through $2.2 million in City bond sales.