Laurens County Begins North Laurens Culvert Replacement

Laurens County, South Carolina, September 30, 2025

News Summary

Laurens County has begun replacing an undersized culvert on Chapman Road with a 16 feet 2 inches by 5 feet 1 inch aluminum box culvert, including grading, drainage work, and paving. Additional stormwater improvements at the Sullivan Road crossing will include green stormwater solutions to reduce erosion, filter pollutants, and improve infiltration. The project is funded in part by a $1,576,005 ASIP award with a $161,268 county cost share. SCOR will manage day-to-day construction and Laurens County will assume ownership and maintenance upon completion. Work is expected to last six to eight months and protect against a 25-year, 24-hour storm event.

Laurens County begins North Laurens Culverts stormwater project; Chapman Road culvert to be enlarged

Project name: Laurens County Stormwater Improvement Project – North Laurens Culverts. Construction began the week of September 15, 2025. A Notice to Proceed for the project was issued on July 21, 2025. The work will replace an undersized culvert along Chapman Road with a new larger structure to move more water safely under the road.

What is being built and why it matters

The new culvert will be a 16 feet 2 inches by 5 feet 1 inch aluminum box culvert. The existing culvert under Chapman Road is described as a closed tunnel channeling water under obstructions like roads. The existing Chapman Road culvert could not accommodate present and anticipated levels of stormwater runoff. The project will upgrade the existing culvert to convey a larger quantity of stormwater under the road.

The project uses a combination of natural (green) and manmade stormwater infrastructure. Ben Duncan is Chief Resilience Officer (title as given). Ben Duncan said the project includes green stormwater solutions. SCOR/Ben Duncan stated green stormwater solutions will reduce erosion caused by flooding. SCOR/Ben Duncan stated green stormwater solutions will filter pollutants from floodwaters. SCOR/Ben Duncan stated green stormwater solutions will help stormwater infiltrate into the ground.

Scope, funding and partners

The project scope includes grading. The project scope includes drainage work. The project scope includes paving/overlay to support the culvert replacement. Additional stormwater improvements will be completed at the Sullivan Road crossing.

Project engineering, design, and construction are funded in part by a $1,576,005 award from SCOR’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Stormwater Infrastructure Program (ASIP). Laurens County is providing a cost share of $161,268 for the project. SCOR is responsible for day-to-day project management. Laurens County will take ownership of and maintain the drainage improvements upon project completion.

Timeline and protection level

Construction is anticipated to last 6 to 8 months. The project is anticipated to protect against flood risks from a 25-year, 24-hour storm event.

Local context and official statements

The County’s ASIP application states that stream crossings in northern Laurens County routinely flood. The ASIP application states such flooding results in roadway closures. The ASIP application states such flooding results in damage to county roads. The ASIP application states such flooding results in stream bank erosion.

Melissa D. Ferqueron is the Laurens County Interim Administrator. Melissa D. Ferqueron stated that storm events as recent as Hurricane Helene have demonstrated the necessity of building infrastructure adequately suited to address future hazards. Representative Mark N. Willis commented that given new developments and growth around the project, it is positive that the County is acting proactively to reduce the risk of future flood events. Ben Duncan applauded Laurens County for including work beyond just upsizing the existing culverts.

Wider state program and context

To date, SCOR has committed approximately $65 million in ARPA Stormwater Infrastructure Program funds for improvements across South Carolina.

Weather and recent storm context

Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Helene have affected the state and shown the consequences of heavy rainfall and flooding on roads and neighborhoods. Statewide, 41 people have died in South Carolina as a result of Helene. There have been three deaths in Laurens County related to the storm. The Department of Public Safety has confirmed multiple fatalities across counties in the region.

Considerable cloudiness. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 74 F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low 62 F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Updated: September 30, 2025 @ 6:04 am. Updated: September 30, 2025 @ 5:44 am.

What to expect during construction

Residents can expect grading, drainage work, and paving near Chapman Road and at the Sullivan Road crossing while the culvert is replaced and supporting work is completed. Work sequencing will move to maintain safe travel where possible and to reduce the length of road closures. SCOR is responsible for day-to-day project management, and Laurens County will take ownership of and maintain the drainage improvements upon project completion.

Summary

The Laurens County Stormwater Improvement Project – North Laurens Culverts addresses routine flooding at stream crossings in the northern part of the county by replacing an undersized culvert on Chapman Road with a larger 16 feet 2 inches by 5 feet 1 inch aluminum box culvert, adding grading, drainage, paving and green stormwater solutions, and is funded in part by a $1,576,005 ASIP award with a $161,268 county cost share. Construction began the week of September 15, 2025 and is anticipated to last 6 to 8 months.

FAQ

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Key project features

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

Additional Resources

• GoLaurens: Laurens County Stormwater Improvement Project — North Laurens Culverts Underway
• Wikipedia: Stormwater
• FOX Carolina: SCOR Stormwater Improvement Construction Begins North Laurens County
• Google Search: SCOR ARPA Stormwater Infrastructure Program Laurens County
• Greenville News: Hurricane Helene impacts in Upstate South Carolina
• Google Scholar: Hurricane Helene 2025 South Carolina
• My Clinton News: Clinton will be looking for a new city manager
• Encyclopedia Britannica: City manager
• GoLaurens: Arrest report for September 27
• Google News: Laurens County arrest report

Author: Construction CA News

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