Old Salem Rd. and Constantine Dr. reopened after addressing drainage concern in extreme high water events

Old Salem Rd. reopened to traffic at Constatine Dr. March 19, 2025, following the installation of a new culvert to address disruptions to traffic in high water events.

The new box culvert was tested over the weekend as the area received almost 5 inches of rain on Saturday, March 15, 2025.  While other roads in the area were closed due to high water, the high water event did not overtop Old Salem Rd at the new box culvert. 

In early December 2024, the City advised motorists to expect traffic interruptions and traffic controls at Old Salem Road during installation of a box culvert at this location by a City contractor. The completed drainage improvement will reduce flooding risk.

Engineers had closed Old Salem Rd. to through traffic just south of the intersection of Constantine Dr. between New Salem and Veterans Pkwy as Rollins Excavating installed a 12-foot by 4-foot cast-in-place box culvert. Constantine Dr. remained open and right turns from Old Salem Rd. onto Constantine and left turns from Constantine onto Old Salem remained open. Appropriate traffic controls and detour signs were in-place.

This area near the start of Puckett Creek has experienced high water near homes in the Bellemore Subdivision and floodwater overtopping Old Salem Rd and Constantine Dr. during extreme rain events. The new, larger culvert at Old Salem and Constantine Dr. provides a way for Puckett Creek to cross under Old Salem Rd., reducing the frequency and duration of high-water events. The less frequent overtop of Old Salem Rd. will reduce disruptions to traffic access on and around Old Salem Rd. and Constantine Dr.

City Staff and the developer of Bellemore identified the need to replace the existing culvert under Old Salem Rd. during consideration of the annexation, rezoning, and project development. Engineering firm Chastain Skillman conducted the watershed study and plans for the upgraded culvert. Volkert and Associates is conducting a flood study update on Puckett Creek to assist in planning and regulations for the Puckett Creek watershed. The watershed flows from south to north from State Route 99 near Armstrong Valley Rd. and State Route 96 near Blaze Drive before joining Overall Creek as it flows under Manson Pike near Manson Crossing Drive.