Monterey Hears Update On Stormwater Plan

Work will soon get underway for an attempt to fix Monterey’s stormwater drainage problem.

Engineer Jerry Warren said he plans to begin talking with TDEC and negotiating easements for a digging project along Commercial Avenue.

Jerry Warren shows plans for fixing Monterey’s stormwater drainage issues during Monday’s board of mayor and aldermen meeting. The board approved two motions aimed at fixing the problem.

“I do want to stress one thing. This is a first step and I don’t know that it’s the be all end all,” Warren said. “I think it’s a start, but we’re trying to look at this as a first piece to help alleviate some of the issues that have been on this side of the railroad track and particularly on Mr. Bowman’s property.”

Mayor Bill Wiggins said the work involves laying new pipes to redirect water from East Commercial Avenue to the railroad.

“He proposes that we begin on the South side of East Commercial Avenue, go toward a catch basin on the Bowman Auto Sales property, and take that line straight to the railroad tracks,” Wiggins said. “Before you get there, there’s a ditch that this would empty into and carry the water to the existing culverts under the railroad tracks.”

Wiggins said the project will cost a little more than $50,000 and start by June.