Charleston County News Release
MEDIA CONTACT
Name: Jennie Davis Flinn, Charleston County Public Information Officer
Phone: (843) 958-4012
Email: jflinn@charlestoncounty.org
Release Number: 3077
Release Date: January 29, 2010
See project information online: http://www.ccroadwise.org/all_projects.html
2010: A Big Year for Transportation Sales Tax Road Projects
Two large projects underway, three poised for construction this spring, and three others slated to begin in 2010.
The Charleston County RoadWise Program has been extremely busy since voters approved 13 transportation improvement projects through Transportation Sales Tax bond referendums in 2004 and 2006.
Since then, every project has gone through at least the public meeting and design phase, with several major projects rolling out for construction in 2010.
“We have had two of the major bonded projects under construction during the past year, and the public will see a tremendous amount of additional construction this year” said Deputy Charleston County Administrator Kurt Taylor, who oversees the Transportation Sales Tax Program. “During 2010, we anticipate having up to eight bonded projects under construction at the same time across Charleston County.”
Bonded projects that are currently under construction:
Palmetto Commerce Parkway - Phase II: The project consists of a nearly four-mile extension of the existing parkway to connect with Ashley Phosphate Road in North Charleston. Phase I of the Palmetto Commerce Parkway was completed in 2007.
Folly Road / Maybank Highway Intersection Improvements: The project consists of new traffic signals, new road pavement, landscaped medians, sidewalks, lighting and storm-water drainage at the intersections of Folly Road, Old Folly Road and Maybank Highway on James Island.
Bonded projects expected to begin construction in spring 2010:
Johnnie Dodds Boulevard Improvements: The project consists of road widening improvements and upgrades to existing intersections along U.S. 17/Johnnie Dodds Boulevard from the base of the Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge north to the I-526 overpass in Mount Pleasant.
Medical University of South Carolina Road Infrastructure Improvements: The project consists of road and sidewalk improvements on Courtenay Drive, from Spring Street to Doughty Street, and on Bee Street, from Courtenay Drive to Lockwood Boulevard in downtown Charleston. The project also includes converting Courtenay Drive to a one-way street from Spring Street to Cannon Street; widening and improving intersections along Courtenay Drive; and widening Bee Street between Courtenay Drive and Lockwood Boulevard.
Glenn McConnell Parkway / I-526 Interchange: The project consists of improvements to Glenn McConnell Parkway at its interchange with I-526 and intersection with Magwood Road in West Ashley. The project extends along Glenn McConnell Parkway from Orleans Road west to Essex Farm Drive (just beyond Charlie Hall Boulevard) and includes adding an additional lane in each direction and intersection improvements.
Additional bonded projects currently undergoing right-of-way acquisition with the potential to begin construction in 2010:
Harbor View Road Improvements: The project consists of widening Harbor View Road from just west of North Shore Drive to Fort Johnson Road on James Island. It also includes adding turn lanes, a sidewalk and a bicycle path.
Bees Ferry Road Widening: The project consists of widening Bees Ferry Road for its entire length of approximately 4.5 miles in West Ashley. The existing roadway will be widened from two lanes to a four-lane divided/five-lane road with accommodations for bicycles and pedestrians.
Folly Road / Camp Road Intersection Improvements: The project on James Island consists of adding two left-turn lanes on southbound Folly Road and dedicated left-turn lanes on both Camp Road approaches. It also includes a sidewalk and minimizes tree impact.
Status of remaining bonded projects:
Palmetto Commerce Parkway - Phase I: The project, which included widening the existing section of Palmetto Commerce Parkway in North Charleston from two to four lanes and extending the road nearly 1,500 feet of the new Daimler Chrysler facility, was completed in 2007.
Maybank Highway Improvements: The project on Johns Island is in preliminary design following extensive coordination efforts with the public and project stakeholders.
U.S. 17 / S.C. 61/ Wesley Drive: The project is in the right-of-way acquisition phase following evaluation of alternatives and modifications approved by Charleston County Council after coordination with the public and the city of Charleston
James Island Connector Loop to Folly Road: The project is undergoing further study involving its potential relationship with the proposed extension of the Mark Clark Expressway (I-526).
Glenn McConnell / Bees Ferry Road Intersection Improvements (also known as the West Ashley Circle): The project is currently in its final design stage.
Future Drive Loop & Northside Drive Extension: The project complements the Palmetto Commerce Parkway project by constructing Future Drive to connect the parkway and Highway 78 near I-26 in North Charleston. The existing Northside Drive would be extended toward Ladson Road to an intersection with Future Drive. The project is being managed by the city of North Charleston.
Other Transportation Sales Tax projects underway or completed:
Many additional road improvements are also being implemented by Charleston County Government through annual funding allocated by Charleston County Council to smaller projects throughout the community. Including roads and streets which have been resurfaced, 193 projects have been completed by the program so far. Projects are funded in the following categories:
Charleston County voters in November 2004 and November 2006 approved referenda creating the overall Transportation Sales Tax Program. The 2004 referendum established the sales tax and authorized the County to issue $77 million in bonds for road projects and a $95 million bond for greenbelt conservation, all of which is being repaid through Transportation Sales Tax revenues.
In November 2006, Charleston County voters passed a second referendum allowing the County to issue bonds for an additional $205 million for transportation improvements.
Collection of the Transportation Sales Tax began in May of 2005 and will continue for 25 years or until $1.3 billion is collected.
Visit the Charleston County RoadWise program Web site at www.ccroadwise.org for public meeting notices and up-to-date news and information about all Charleston County Transportation Sales Tax projects.