City Manager Jerome Wyche
Contributor
During the latter portion of 2020, the Department of Transportation (D.O.T.), Suwanee River Water Management and the City of Madison entered into a joint venture to address sediment control of contaminants entering Lake Francis from water run-off, flowing from the storm water drains off of U.S. Hwy. 90, also know as Base Street. The joint project is a pilot program and based upon its effectiveness, future plans to address other sediment control measures may be considered.
The current plan is to put in place a filtering process in Lake Francis, off of Lake Shore Drive, as it intersects with Priest Street. The storm water drains collect all of the water run-off that is accumulated off of Base Street and is funneled into Lake Francis. The sediment control system, also referred to as a baffling system, will collect rubbish, such as plastic bottles, paper residue, styrofoam cups, leaves, moss, limbs and other like items of debris before it enters into the lake.
A prospective date of Thursday, Sept. 8, was set by D.O.T. to begin staging heavy equipment and machinery at the intersection of Lake Shore Drive and Priest Street, to begin the process of installation. Monday, Sept. 12, is the target date for the installation of the sediment control system to begin. The installation will require road closures in that vicinity until the project is complete. Because this is a pilot program installation, the approximate completion time for the project is undetermined. Persons that utilize the designated walking surface around Lake Francis are encouraged to alter their routes of pedestrian movement for the sake of individual safety. The City of Madison is urging all citizens to be aware of the construction/installation of the sediment control system and observe and follow road closure signage and other posted safety notifications. Citizens will be duly informed when the project is scheduled for completion.