Residents who have been plagued by flooding after torrential downpours for more than two decades could finally see some relief as construction is scheduled to begin next week on a project to mitigate flooding at Sullivan Run.

On Monday, construction will begin to replace the approximately 20-foot West Brady Street bridge with a new one. The Sullivan Run Control Project costs $2.3 million and will increase space for stream water to run through to make flooding much less likely.

John Evans, Butler’s building code official, said he has been trying to get a project of this type completed for more than 25 years.

We were glad to see local leaders begin steps to get this project in motion two years ago and hope that residents affected by flooding in the area will see some relief.

In recent years, residents living near Sullivan Run have complained of the conditions that arise when heavy rain causes the creek to overflow.

After a particularly bad 2019 storm, one resident told the Eagle that the creek has flooded her property 20 times in 25 years. Others complained of basements continuously flooded with muddy water.

The West Brady Street bridge’s replacement with a concrete block culvert is only one part of the project. Its objective is to reduce the flood plain and the frequency of flooding in the area.

“All the high-water events this past summer — once the Sullivan Run flood control project is completed — those more than likely wouldn’t have happened,” Evans said.

We hope they never happen again.

There has been enough suffering in the county during the past two years of COVID-19, which has resulted in lives and jobs lost. The last thing anyone needs is strife brought on by natural disasters. It’s hard to live week-to-week during a rainy season not knowing if your property will be damaged every time it rains.

We’re glad that county leaders prioritized this project and hope that residents who live near Sullivan Run or are affected by its flooding will finally catch a break.

— NCD