A drainage project near the entrance of the Plantation Hills subdivision is nearing completion, aiming to improve the flow and storage of stormwater and reduce flooding along Robbins Boulevard during heavy rainfall.

Baldwin County Highway Department crews have installed about 500 linear feet of new stormwater pipe to address flooding at an existing roadway inlet. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the month.

According to Mark Acreman, Baldwin County assistant engineer, the problem became especially noticeable during heavy rain.

"Robbins Boulevard experienced flooding at the last inlet on the existing roadway segment during heavy rain events, making it difficult for motorists exiting the Plantation Hills development," Acreman said.

The new system will provide a secondary outfall for the existing inlet, allowing stormwater to move through the area more efficiently. The 18-inch pipe provides about 1,000 cubic feet of additional storage, while a newly constructed sediment pond adds roughly 2,000 cubic feet of additional storage.

Acreman said the additional capacity is intended to relieve pressure on the existing drainage system during heavy rainfall.

Stormwater will be directed from the roadway inlet into the new sediment pond. The pond will allow sediment to settle out before the water is discharged into the natural drainage system.

The project also includes measures to help limit erosion and sediment movement. Disturbed areas will be sodded and hydro-seeded once construction is complete.

"This is an existing drainage problem and has not been impacted by any surrounding properties," Acreman said.

More than 250 homes in Plantation Hills are expected to benefit from the improvements. By providing another route for stormwater and increasing storage capacity, the project is intended to make access to the subdivision more reliable during periods of heavy rain.

The project was made possible by a drainage easement granted by the City of Loxley to the Baldwin County Commission. Acreman said the easement provided the space needed to install the new stormwater pipe and sediment pond.

The improvements come as development continues throughout the Daphne and Loxley areas. Acreman said new developments are required to manage and mitigate their stormwater runoff when they are constructed.

The Plantation Hills project, however, was designed specifically to address an existing drainage issue along Robbins Boulevard rather than runoff associated with new development. 

Gabriella Chavez is a Report for America corps member who writes about growth and development in Baldwin County and our natural spaces for Gulf Coast Media. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today.