Westminster lacks funding to move water main, after last month’s Hwy 123 washout

Westminster Mayor Brian Ramey has issued a statement regarding the project to repair the portion of Hwy 123 that was washed out last month.

He says Westminster doesn’t have the money needed to replace the water line that was a casualty of the recent washout on US 123 (the Westminster-Toccoa Highway).

According to the mayor, the cost to repair the line is estimated at $250 thousand; which, he says Westminster just doesn’t have enough funds to cover the expense.

On Thursday, a pre-construction conference day for the various parties involved in the emergency roadside repair project was held.

Westminster water official Allen Ridley represented the city at the meeting.

Ramey says Westminster officials have appealed to both the DOT and the county’s state lawmakers for help; but, to no avail.

He says the contractor to fix the roadside can’t do the work until the current, temporary water line is replaced by a new one.

A detour is in place in the vicinity of Tabor, Dixon and Singleton roads to redirect traffic until the repairs are completed.

Last week, officials announced that South Carolina will pay just under $1.3 million to repair the collapsed roadside.

The DOT awarded the job to S&S Construction of Anderson.

According to DOT Resident Construction Engineer Alan Adams, the contractor will have until June 16 to restore the roadside.

WNEG News will continue to follow this story as additional details are released.