<strong>From staff reports</strong>

As of press time, weather contingent, the Spanish Moss Trail was set to reopen in Basin 1 from Rogers to Broome on or about Wednesday, Feb. 10. According to Mossy Oaks Multijurisdictional Drainage Task Force Chair Neal Pugliese, Col. USMC, Ret., residents can expect a notice to be published on various social media sites when the trail in this area is reopened.

As stated last week, the Mossy Oaks Stormwater Project, is nearing completion, on schedule and on budget.

Basin 1<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

The main drainage system has been completely installed, and the trail has been repaved with more than 1,000 feet of concrete. The concrete is setting, and pending weather, the final center line striping, landscaping, and tidal flap gate calibrations are being completed.

Further, the footbridge at the west end of the Duck Pond is now open. The footbridge should be a great spot for kids of all ages to put their poles in the water.

Next week, minor but supporting drainage work continues in and around the Duck Pond area, Battery Creek Road, Coates Lane, and North Royal Oaks.

Basin 2<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Great progress was made this week on the drainage system on the Spanish Moss Trail from Riverside Drive to Brotherhood Lane. All three head walls and three sets of 60-inch pipes running under the trail have been installed.

Next, concrete will be poured to set the subsurface drainage in place. After that, the hole housing the drainage pipes will be filled in, graded, the tidal flap gates installed, and the coffer dam will be removed. At that point, the Spanish Moss Trail will be repaved and reopened.

Safety

The project enjoyed another week of perfect safety and that’s the good news, according to Pugliese. But with the project in the final stages, he noted that many have noticed that vehicles are traveling well above the posted speed limits. According to Pugliese, Beaufort Police have been active in the area as a means to encourage motorists to drive safely.

Stay informed

Those affected or interested in the Mossy Oaks Project should register with the “Notify Me” application found on the City of Beaufort website (https://www.cityofbeaufort.org/list.aspx) and subscribe to the Mossy Oaks Stormwater Project updates.