Resurfacing key Beaufort-area roads, including downtown’s Bay Street, will start the day after Labor Day according to a revised schedule shared Monday by the S.C. Department of Transportation.

Based on the updated plan, Bay Street – the key retail road in downtown that borders Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park – will be milled, paved and re-striped starting Sept. 3 and continuing the rest of that week, depending on weather and other variables.

The resurfacing and paving project had been planned to start this week but was postponed until the groups could meet Monday morning to discuss scheduling and logistics.

The state DOT’s work includes milling, resurfacing and restriping all or parts of Charles Street, North Street, Bay Street, Lafayette Street, Waddell Road and Battery Creek Road. Later in September-October, new traffic signal mast arms will be installed at Charles Street intersections downtown.

Weather permitting, the paving work is scheduled as follows:
•   Bay Street: September 3 – 6
•   Lafayette Street: September 9 – 13
• North Street and Charles Street: September 16  - 20
•  Battery Creek Road and Waddell Road: September 23 - 30

During each phase or work, all or parts of the roads may be closed to vehicle traffic, said Isiah Smalls, director of public works and facilities management for the City of Beaufort.

“We want this work to be as safely as possible, as smoothly as possible and done as efficiently as possible,” he said. “There will be inconveniences, but this is essential maintenance the state needs to do on state-owned roads.

“Throughout the project, there will be some inconveniences during the various stages of construction but pedestrian access to your homes and businesses we be available daily,” Smalls said. “We request that you don’t park on streets scheduled for paving to avoid having your vehicle towed.”