A Dec. 6 workshop held by the Peachtree City Council came with a report that the much-discussed Lake Peachtree spillway is on schedule. Construction is expected to begin in August 2017 and comes with a project completion date in June 2018.
The estimated cost of the spillway is $3.4 million, of which Fayette County will contribute $2 million. A contingency of 15 percent, or $519,000 was recommended. A portion of the cost, $1.95 million for the spillway and bridge, is included in the one-percent sales tax initiative going before voters in March.
The spillway design favored by council members is a three-stage piano key weir (barrier). That design was approved because it fits in the existing spillway area, avoids the use of mechanical devices, meets Georgia Safe Dams standards and will not increase flooding upstream or downstream during 100-year storms.
The current spillway can handle eight inches of rain in 24 hours. The new spillway will be able to handle the state standard of 18 inches of rain in 12 hours.
The project also includes adding a 1.4-foot parapet wall, essentially a berm, to the dam which is situated immediately to the west of the spillway.
Also in included in the project is removing the top section of a small peninsular area situated between the dam and spillway to provide for improved inflow to the spillway. The remaining area could be used as park space.
The lake will have to be lowered, but not drained, during construction and a temporary coffer dam installed immediately north of the spillway, with a significant portion of the work done during the fall and winter.
The project will also include temporarily lowering Lake Kedron by two feet during a portion of the project as a safety precaution.
The construction of a bridge allowing for two-way traffic immediately south of the spillway has been a source of interest by citizens. The multi-use bridge is expected to cost approximately $400,000.
Also included in the project could be the rerouting of the cart path along Kelly Drive near the current dam and spillway driveway. There is an existing berm that, for minimal cost, could have the current cart path on the south side of Kelly Drive re-routed so that it connects to Kelly Drive near the community garden.
The city will install signage in the area so residents be kept up-to-date on the project.
