Redesign of the Elliott Cut water transmission main
Separating West Ashley and James Island is a section of the Intracoastal Waterway called Elliott Cut which connects the Ashley and Stono Rivers. In 1977, a 20-inch ductile iron pipe (DIP) water transmission main was installed by open-cut across Elliott Cut and adjacent marshes. In September of 2018, a dredge inadvertently struck and completely severed the main. Hussey Gay Bell was immediately contracted to evaluate the situation and assist CWS in determining whether to repair or replace the main. Upon completion of a Preliminary Engineering Report, CWS made the decision to replace the 50-years old main. Hussey Gay Bell designed, permitted and oversaw the partial removal and abandonment of 2,800 LF of existing 20-inch DIP to replace it with 2,400 LF of 24-inch (OD) HDPE installed by HDD and 400 LF of 20-inch DIP by open-cut. Construction of the project was completed in August 2020.