CITY TO HOLD GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY

Salisbury Mayor James Ireton, Jr., invites the public to a groundbreaking ceremony for the Fitzwater Street Storm Drain Replacement Project, on Monday, November 30, 2009. The ceremony will begin at 1:00 p.m. and will be held at the intersection of Fitzwater Street and Delaware Avenue.

This project is the first step towards reducing flooding on the Fitzwater Street Corridor by upgrading the existing storm drain inlet at the corner of Fitzwater Street and Delaware Avenue. The new storm drain inlet will be connected into the existing drainage system with a 12-inch pipe and include a filter system to prevent floatable debris from entering the Wicomico River.

This project is funded by a $38,000 grant from the Maryland Department of the Environment, using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 money. The project will begin in early December and is expected to take less than two months to complete.

“When I was first elected to office, a foremost item of concern was the flooding issue on Fitzwater Street, Lake and Germania Circle,” said Councilwoman Shanie Shields. “A study was done, and there are several other areas that have the same problem. This is a positive step in the right direction and hopefully some relief from flooding will be the end result. With the filter in place this will also help with the debris that enters the Wicomico River. I am quite pleased with this project.”

“I echo the sentiments of Councilwoman Shields,” said Mayor Ireton. “This area of our downtown, both commercial and residential, has been in need of relief for far too long. These American Recovery and Reinvestment Act monies will stimulate our local economy and create or save jobs. It will be a great day to break ground on the new Fitzwater Street Storm Drain Project.”