The Georgia Department of Transportation plans to raise parts of U.S. 80 that are prone to tidal flooding, but predictions about rising sea levels indicate this is a stopgap.
The Savannah Morning News reports independent science organization Climate Central says rising sea levels indicate the estimated five coastal floods per year at Fort Pulaski may increase to 50 per year by the 2030s.
Work on the $1.85 million highway project is expected to start this week. Tybee Mayor Jason Buelterman says the project may prevent the highway from flooding up to a tide of 10.4 feet at Fort Pulaski, as the highway currently floods at a tide of 9.6 feet.
Buelterman says a longer-term solution to raise the road substantially was initially set for 2012 but has been repeatedly delayed.