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 Stormwater Improvement Project — North Laurens Culverts

Key update

Construction on the Laurens County Stormwater Improvement Project – North Laurens Culverts began the week of September 15, 2025. The work will replace an undersized culvert along Chapman Road with a 16 feet 2 inches by 5 feet 1 inch aluminum box culvert and includes grading, drainage work and paving/overlay to support the culvert replacement. Additional stormwater improvements will be completed at the Sullivan Road crossing. The Notice to Proceed for the project was issued on July 21, 2025.

Funding and management

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), with Laurens County providing a cost share of $161,268. The state resilience office is responsible for day-to-day project management, and Laurens County will take ownership of and maintain the drainage improvements upon project completion. To date, the state resilience office has committed approximately $65 million in ARPA Stormwater Infrastructure Program funds for improvements across South Carolina.

Scope and goals

The project will upgrade the existing Chapman Road culvert, which is a closed tunnel channeling water under obstructions like roads and could not accommodate present and anticipated levels of stormwater runoff. The upgrade is intended to convey a larger quantity of stormwater under the road. The project uses a combination of natural (green) and manmade stormwater infrastructure. It is anticipated to protect against flood risks from a 25-year, 24-hour storm event. Construction is anticipated to last 6 to 8 months.

Green infrastructure and benefits

The project includes green stormwater solutions that will reduce erosion caused by flooding, filter pollutants from floodwaters and help stormwater infiltrate into the ground. The inclusion of natural stormwater practices is part of a scope that goes beyond simply upsizing culverts.

Local context and need

The county’s ASIP application states that stream crossings in northern Laurens County routinely flood, resulting in roadway closures, damage to county roads and stream bank erosion. Given recent storm events, officials described the work as a necessary step to improve public safety and reduce the risk of future flood events as new developments and growth occur near the project area.

Officials and roles

Melissa D. Ferqueron is the Laurens County Interim Administrator. Melissa D. Ferqueron said they are excited to see the project move forward because effectively managing stormwater is a critical aspect of ensuring the safety of our residents. 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. Mark N. Willis is Representative for District 16. 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 is Chief Resilience Officer. Ben Duncan said the project includes green stormwater solutions and noted that these solutions will reduce erosion caused by flooding, filter pollutants from floodwaters and help stormwater infiltrate into the ground.

Timing, location and additional notes

Work on Chapman Road and at the Sullivan Road crossing is already underway following the start date noted above. Construction is expected to run for six to eight months. The project combines grading, drainage and paving/overlay to support the culvert replacement and related stream crossing work. The project’s engineering, design and construction are funded in part by the ASIP award listed earlier, with a local cost share by Laurens County.

Related state-level impacts

Recent severe weather has had major impacts across the state. Hurricane Helene / Tropical Storm Helene has claimed multiple lives across South Carolina. Statewide, 41 people have died in South Carolina as a result of Helene. The Department of Public Safety confirmed 20 deaths in the Upstate region. There have been eight deaths in Spartanburg County, seven deaths in Greenville County, six deaths in Aiken County, five people have died in Anderson County related to Tropical Storm Helene, two deaths in Chester County, one death in Chesterfield County, one death in Greenwood County, three deaths in Newberry County, one death in Richland County, three deaths in Saluda County, one death in York County, and three deaths in Laurens County. Modes of death reported include two people struck by falling trees in their homes, one person who died in a morning head-on collision, and one person swept away by stormwater. Specific incidents reported include the death of Karen Denise McCall, 60, of Anderson, who was killed when her car was swept away on a flooded road, and deaths of Christine Lynn Schmeiske, 55, and Sandy Lee Fisher, 54, when trees fell through their homes. The National Hurricane Center said Helene is the most deadly in South Carolina since Hurricane Hugo in 1989, when 35 were killed.

Weather summary and updates

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.

FAQ

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Key Features Table

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

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