Public Works Project Manager Jackson Sheppard, Director Chad Townsend and Project Engineer Jorge Campos (third, fourth and fifth from left) were recognized at the Georgia APWA Conference Thursday night
The Dalton Public Works Department was honored this week for its work to mitigate stormwater problems and flooding in an area north of Walnut Avenue. The Georgia Chapter of the American Public Works Association recognized Dalton with its Project of the Year Award for the Walnut North Drainage Project. The award was presented Thursday night at the Georgia APWA chapter's annual conference in Jekyll Island.
Officials said, "The last of the four phases of the project is still underway, but the work has already dramatically improved stormwater management in the area.
"The four phases of the Walnut North Drainage Project included the creation of a regenerative stormwater conveyance (RSC) in the West Hill Cemetery, as well as the Ridge Street stormwater bypass, the Valley Drive streambank restoration, and the Franklin Street stormwater bypass which is still under construction. The four phases of the project will work together to slow down and better manage stormwater flow from the upper elevations of the Murray Hill neighborhood as it moves southeast towards Walnut Avenue. The Public Works Department started the first phase of the project in 2022."
"We've had several properties in that Walnut North area that have had repetitive flood issues. Since (completing three of the project phases), we're not complete with all phases of the project just yet, but we've been getting a lot of good reports about those properties no longer flooding after what we've done thus far," said Public Works Director Chad Townsend. "When we complete the last phase, I think we will really see the returns we were expecting."
"I'm very proud of the hard work Public Works has put into this project over the last three years to bring it to fruition," said City Administrator Andrew Parker. "We have a rock star team at Public Works."
Dalton's Project of the Year Award came in the APWA's Small Cities and Rural Communities category for projects budgeted in the $1-$5 million range. Dir. Townsend was also recognized Thursday night for his completion of the public works management certificate program at the University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute of Government. The 90-hour training program is a cooperative effort of the Carl Vinson Institute and the APWA.