Flash Flood creates problems in Hwy 123 repair

The portion of Hwy 123 that was washed out in February receives further damages after an April 19^th Flash Flood.

According to officials, a contractor from Anderson, South Carolina has started to excavate the embankment where part of the roadside collapsed earlier this year.

After the initial collapse, a detour was put in place to redirect traffic away from a section of Hwy 123/Toccoa Hwy—between Westminster and Georgia.

But, on Thursday, a South Carolina DOT official admitted that the torrential rains of April 19 have made the situation worse, and several questions go unanswered regarding the restoration project moving forward.

Alan Adams, resident DOT construction engineer, says S&S Construction, will excavate while awaiting the arrival of a box culvert that will allow water to flow under U-S 123 from one side to the other.

Adams says the latest washout is a game-changer.

As of this report, the following have yet to be determined: how the sediment cleanup will be addressed; whether the contractor will require additional money above the $1.3 million that was originally agreed on; and whether the DOT will have to grant an extension to the previously agreed June 16 deadline to restore the roadside.

WNEG News will continue to follow this story and bring you additional details as they become available.