By Eric Curl
Aug. 1, 2021 – Fans of the waterfront path along the Savannah River will have to wait a bit longer before the can enjoy walking the McQueen’s Island Trail, which is undergoing extensive repairs due to damages caused by hurricanes and high tides.
The latest staff report, included in the July 30 Chatham County Commission meeting agenda, shifts the project’s expected completion date from the summer to the fall.
- (Sept. 25 Update: The completion was again pushed back to the winter in September).
- (Dec. 16 Update: The completion date has now been delayed to the spring of 2022, according to the staff report in the commission’s Dec. 17 meeting agenda.)
The damage has rendered the trail impassible and threatens nearby U.S. 80, the only vehicular route on or off Tybee Island. The $2.5 million repair project includes approximately 2,000 feet of timber bulkhead as well as associated backfill and surface topping to restore the trail to usable condition. Additionally, three timber bridges are being replaced.
County staff expects damages from storms, wave action and high tides to continue if a long range solution is not found. To reduce similar erosion damage and reduce disruptions to transportation through the year 2072, the commission approved in January a partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a study and come up with long-range solution for stabilizing the trail.
#StayEngagedSavannah
