Chatham County leaders showcase Casey Canal project ahead of SPLOST vote

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Chatham County leaders are putting a spotlight on the Casey Canal improvement project near Hull Park.

It’s a part of their effort to raise awareness about the upcoming Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax vote.

It’s a tax that people already pay, put up for renewal very six years to fund infrastructure across the county. Residents and business owners say flooding in the area impacts them.

The project involves pipes ranging from 60 inches to 72 inches that will replace smaller pipes to help reduce flooding across the city.

Second phase of the project, shedding light on SPLOST

“This is the second phase of the Casey Canal project,” said Jim Collins, senior vice president at Thomas and Hutton.

Phase 1 was completed about 20 years ago and focused on addressing structural flooding. This phase will carry these pipes farther to the west and eliminate flooding on Abercorn and Habersham Streets.

“We’re low land and so the water is here. We’ve also experienced 70% of our most severe weather events have been since 2015 so it’s raining harder and raining faster so we just can’t keep up,” said Savannah Mayor Van Johnson.

Mayor Johnson and several Chatham County leaders shed light on this project as SPLOST, a tax already funded by residents and visitors will be back on the ballot for renewal November 4.

It will fund dozens of projects, like this one, across the county.

Residents describe flooding impact

“I could not get to my house; I had to park six blocks away and wade through water up to my knees. I mean my shoes got all messed up, just to get home, I couldn’t drive my car home,” said Savannah resident, David Wills.

David Wills, a resident in the area talked about the first time he experienced flooding in Savannah.

“The fact is we’re trying to correct something that we’ve inherited,” said Mayor Johnson.

If voters say no to SPLOST, projects will need to be funded by each county.

To do that, residents could see an increase in property taxes and delay in movement on those projects until they are able to fund it.

Leaders expect SPLOST 8 to generate $700 million.