Charleston Opens Bidding for James Island Central Park Drainage Project
The City of Charleston is seeking construction bids for drainage improvements in the Central Park Road basin on James Island, with proposals now due August 14, 2026, at 2 p.m. local time.
The city posted the project for bidding July 6 and issued Addendum 01 on July 28. The addendum extended the bid deadline and clarified requirements that could affect residents, emergency services, utilities, traffic and visitors to James Island County Park. No contractor has been selected, and construction has not started.
Work planned in the Central Park basin
The Central Park Drainage Improvements Project covers approximately 4,250 feet of open drainage channel in the Central Park Road basin. The city says the work is intended to improve drainage and tidal and flood resiliency through channel improvements and upgrades at multiple culvert crossings.
The bid documents call for new or modified drainage structures, twin box culverts, valves and tide-control equipment. The work also includes erosion controls, roadway and sidewalk restoration, traffic control, and relocations of water mains and a sanitary sewer force main.
The project includes twin 9-foot-by-4-foot box culverts at crossings near Riley Road, Central Park Road and the EME Apartment Access Drive. The documents also include a flap gate and a muted tide gate intended to manage water movement through the drainage system.
Funding has been identified, but no construction price has been awarded
Charleston City Council records identify $5 million from the city’s Drainage Fund and $1.5 million from the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority as funding sources for the project, or $6.5 million in identified city and state funding.
That figure is not a contractor’s awarded price. The city’s addendum says bidders must prepare their own bids based on the project documents, and the city reserves the right to reject any or all bids.
Riley Road access must remain available
The addendum requires traffic access along Riley Road to be maintained throughout construction. It says Riley Road has no alternate access route for residents or emergency services, and contractors must plan construction to maintain access for residents, emergency vehicles, service providers and other authorized users at all times, subject to coordination with the city and engineer.
The project also includes roadway, sidewalk, curb, gutter, pavement and utility work. The documents do not establish final construction phases, specific closure schedules elsewhere in the project area or individual property impacts.
Holiday Festival of Lights coordination is required
Contractors must coordinate with the city and other applicable stakeholders no later than one month before the November 13, 2026, Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park. The stated goal is to ensure construction activities do not affect event operations.
The requirement does not say that all construction will stop for the festival. Specific measures will depend on the selected contractor’s plans and the city’s coordination process.
What happens after bidding
After bids are received, Charleston will review them through its procurement and award process. Following an award, the city intends to hold a public information meeting with residents and stakeholders about the project, construction impacts, maintenance of traffic and any roadway closures or restrictions. The selected contractor must be prepared to support that meeting.
The bid form requires the contractor to begin work within 15 days after receiving a notice to proceed and to complete the project within 365 consecutive calendar days thereafter. That is a contract requirement and planned maximum work period, not a confirmed construction start or completion date.
Local reporting has described recurring flooding along Central Park Road and nearby James Island roads during major storms and high tides. The city’s current procurement documents are the controlling source for this project’s scope, access requirements, event coordination, funding references and bidding schedule.
What Charleston residents should watch
- Bids are due Friday, August 14, 2026, at 2 p.m. local time.
- The city has not yet awarded the construction contract.
- Riley Road access must remain available during construction.
- Roadway, sidewalk, utility and drainage work could affect travel through the project area.
- Construction activities must be coordinated around the November 13 Holiday Festival of Lights.
- A public information meeting is expected after the contract is awarded.
The project is intended to address tidal and stormwater flooding in the Central Park Road basin. The documents do not promise that flooding will be eliminated.
Sources
- City of Charleston Central Park Drainage Improvements Addendum 01
- Live 5 News report on Central Park Road flooding
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