CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of Charleston and the US Army Corps of Engineers are working out flood prevention infrastructure designs around the peninsula in the Coastal Storm Risk Management Project.
A 2018 federal study conducted by the US Army Corps of Engineers looked into coastal storm impacts in the Lowcountry.
The study looked into a Future Without Project Conditions that predicts the City of Charleston to see higher flood depths and longer time periods of flood hazards such as storm surge, tidal flooding and sea level changes. Future predictions from the study include coastal areas such as the peninsula, West Ashley, James Island, Daniel Island and Cainhoy to see flood hazards up to two to four inches by 2050.
The study plays a role in the Coastal Storm Risk Management Project to help city leaders and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers find solutions to future flood predictions.
City leaders are in Phase Two, called the Preconstruction, Engineering and Design phase. Leaders are planning to extend the current Low and High Battery Walls around the peninsula.
According to the study, the idea behind the extension is to protect life and property within the city from inland and tidal flooding hazards that could impact communities, businesses and natural habitats until 2095.
The US Army Corps of Engineers produced a previous plan for creating a 12-foot-tall storm surge barrier around the peninsula. The height of the original plan follows the Corps of Engineers' requirement of a 12-foot-tall protective standard for structures for storm surge events.
City Chief Policy Officer Logan McVey says the newest design of extending the Battery offers safety from storm surge and tidal flooding, as well as an opportunity to offer more walkable connectivity.
"The concept of just a gray 12-foot seawall that would go all the way around the peninsula. I think the imagery that was attached to that really scared people," McVey says. "And even when you look at Lockwood Drive, a 12-foot gray wall going down Lockwood would be pretty altering to the future of this city."
He says 12-foot-tall flood panels will be used during storm surge events to offer more protection.
McVey says the extension is expected to connect to current city connectivity projects, such as the Ashley River Pedestrian Bridge towards West Ashley, as well as the Ravenel Bridge towards Mount Pleasant.
Some residents in the area approve of the plan for the potentially extended pathway along the peninsula. Joanna Gilmore is a Mount Pleasant resident who has lived in the Lowcountry for the last 11 years.
"I think it's super important, both in terms of the flooding, that's a major issue, and the city needs to prepare as much as possible for flood events," Gilmore says. "And then in terms of connectivity, I think it's great for residents, especially as well as visitors, to just be able to have increased access to the coastline and be able to freely move around."
Amanda Treschman moved to the downtown area four years ago. Treschman says she makes an effort to walk the Battery pathway each morning as part of her routine.
"I think increasing waterfront walkability would be amazing for mental health and just pedestrians in general," Treschman says. "I feel like as long as it doesn't affect the ecosystem or the people living in those areas, I think it's a wonderful idea and it would only enhance Charleston."
City leaders say the extension is expected to cost around $1.3 billion. McVey says 35% of that bill will be footed through local funds from either the state, county or city. The remaining cost will be funded through the federal government.
McVey says the city is working to overcome the hurdle of the typically long timeframe of similar projects. The estimated completion date was in about 20 years. McVey says the city can get the job done in five years.
"One, because it's an asset to our community, two, because it's the most cost-efficient thing to do with the way cost increases on projects, it only makes sense for us to build it as quickly as possible," McVey says. "And three, every hurricane season, we're rolling the dice. So, we have to roll the dice five times versus rolling them 20 times. We want to absolutely do that."
Mayor William Cogswell and McVey plan to visit Washington D.C. on Wednesday. The visit is set to ask for process improvement for the project. City leaders are looking to boost project efficiency, which includes finding a faster hiring process for engineering firms.