COLUMBIA, S.C. — The City of Columbia will start construction next week around Gills Creek to upgrade sewer lines in the area.
The floods of 2015 left a mark on Devine Street that can been seen to this day. The remains of the Liberty Tax Building is a reminder of the devastation.
Milly Wilson, the co-owner of Labrasca's, knows the pain and heartache flooding can cause.
"The flood was quite eventful. We were worried if we could afford to reopen, if we could reopen,” said Wilson.
It took her business about a year to get everything back to normal. Their kitchen was closed for a month, while their dining room was closed for two months.
"There was so much water. We had six-feet outside and a foot and a half inside. Every time we get a big rain, they talk about the hurricanes coming through, you still get that sinking feeling in your stomach," explained Wilson.
You may have noticed some construction going on right by Gills Creek. The City of Columbia is working on upgrading sewer lines around that area.
Columbia Water says the construction is part of their Clean Water 2020 Program. The goal of the project is to decrease sewer overflow along Gills Creek, Lake Katherine and Penn Branch. Officials say it might help with flooding in the area as well.
"Knowing that they're going to fix that we never have to worry about that again, it's nice to know they're doing something about it," said Wilson.
The city says construction will begin on May 16 and they hope to have the portion on Crowson Road done by the end of June.
In a press release from Columbia Water say:
“During this project, portions of Crowson Road will be blocked off intermittently due to the replacement of aging sewer lines in the area. Local businesses and shops near this section of Crowson Road will remain accessible throughout the road construction. Detours and alternate routes will be accessible to traffic, as well.”
For more information on the project, click here.