Charleston County News Release
Release Number: 3456
Release Date: June 22, 2012
Project website: http://www.ccroadwise.org/projects/johnnie_dodds/index.php
Project area map: http://www.ccroadwise.org/projects/johnnie_dodds/index.php
Traffic Alert: Closures for Johnnie Dodds Boulevard Project Continue Through July 22, but are Limited Over Fourth of July Holiday
Drivers should expect to navigate through lane closures and temporary delays as construction crews continue installing underground drainage pipes, curb and gutter, and preparing and placing asphalt for the Johnnie Dodds Boulevard Improvements Project in Mount Pleasant. All construction areas will be marked with construction cones and signs. In order to reduce impact to travelers over the Fourth of July holiday, there will be no lane closures from 6 a.m. on July 3 to 6 a.m. on July 8.
The following previously announced work will continue through Sunday, July 22:
Johnnie Dodds Boulevard Nighttime Lane Closures:
- Drivers should expect temporary, nighttime lane closures for three miles on Johnnie Dodds Boulevard (U.S. Highway 17) from the end of the Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge to I-526.
- The construction activity will occur from 9 p.m. - 6 a.m. in an effort to reduce the impact on drivers.
- The speed limit on Johnnie Dodds Boulevard is reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph in the construction zone.
East Frontage Road
- Daytime Lane Closures:
- Drivers should expect temporary, daytime lane closures on East Frontage Road from McGrath Darby Boulevard to Bowman Road.
- For areas with low traffic volumes, the construction activity could occur as early as 6 a.m. until 4 p.m. Lane closures in areas of high traffic will be delayed until 8:30 a.m.
- Drivers will have access to businesses along East Frontage Road at all times during construction.
- Nighttime Road Closures:
- Drivers should expect minor, nighttime road closures from 8 p.m. - 6 a.m. due to eastbound and westbound road closures of East Frontage Road from McGrath Darby Boulevard to Bowman Road.
- The daily starting time of this closure may be delayed until 9 p.m. if traffic is heavy.
West Frontage Road
- Daytime Lane Closures:
- Drivers should expect temporary, daytime lane closures on West Frontage Road from Mathis Ferry Road to Bowman Road.
- For areas with low traffic volumes, the construction activity could occur as early as 6 a.m. until 4 p.m. Lane closures in areas of high traffic will be delayed until 8:30 a.m.
- Drivers will have access to businesses along West Frontage Road at all times during construction.
- Nighttime Road Closures:
- Drivers should expect minor, nighttime road closures from 8 p.m. - 6 a.m. due to eastbound and westbound road closures of West Frontage Road from Mathis Ferry Road to Bowman Road.
- The daily starting time of this closure may be delayed until 9 p.m. if traffic is heavy.
Bowman Road Closure Over Shem Creek:
As previously announced, the current phase of the project includes the temporary closure of the portion of Bowman Road that goes over Shem Creek (between McDonald’s and Kmart on Bowman Road) while crews replace the small bridge. This closure to Bowman Road began on Monday, April 16, and will be in place for five months. Construction areas will continue to be marked with traffic control devices and signs as they are now.
Drivers will be detoured as follows:
Nighttime Entrance and Exit Ramps will continue to be closed as previously announced:
- The following ramps will continued to be closed nightly from 9 p.m. – 6 a.m. (Note: only one ramp will be closed at any given time):
- Entrance ramp onto southbound Johnnie Dodds Boulevard from Bowman Road (next to Arby’s restaurant).
- Entrance ramp onto northbound Johnnie Dodds Boulevard from Bowman Road (next to McDonald’s restaurant).
- Exit ramp from southbound Johnnie Dodds Boulevard onto Bowman Road (next to the former East Cooper hospital).
- Exit ramp from northbound Johnnie Dodds Boulevard onto Bowman Road (next to Blockbuster and Nason Medical Center).
- During the nightly ramp closures, all traffic will be detoured to either East Frontage Road or West Frontage Road.
- All construction areas and detours will be marked with construction cones and signs.
- In order to reduce impact to travelers over the Fourth of July holiday, ramp closures will not occur from 6 a.m. on June 30 to 6 a.m. on July 8.
Drivers traveling through the project’s construction zone are asked to be aware of equipment and crews working in the area at all times. Drivers are encouraged to go slow and allow additional time to reach their destinations safely.
Alternative routes are recommended if possible. The public is also asked to notice traffic control signs, reductions in speed limit and message board information, and to note that all road work is dependent on the weather.
The goal of the project, which is expected to be completed in the spring of 2013, is to improve the traffic flow in and out of Mount Pleasant, especially before and after school and work hours. The project is funded by the Charleston County Transportation Sales Tax and managed by Charleston County Government’s RoadWise Program, in close coordination with the Town of Mount Pleasant and the S.C. Department of Transportation.
The public can get up-to-date project information, including construction status and traffic alerts, online at http://www.ccroadwise.org/projects/johnnie_dodds/index.php.
