Frequently Asked Questions
What federal, state, and local agencies are you working with?
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT)
- City of Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina
- South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC)
- SCDHEC Ocean & Coastal Resource Management
What is the project schedule moving forward?
How long will it take for the project to be completed?
The project is anticipated to be complete within 3.5 years of commencing construction.
When will the Project Development and Permitting Process be finished?
The Project Development and Permitting Process for Segment A is estimated to be complete by late 1st Quarter 2024.
What’s the budget for this project?
The budget for the entire Main Road Corridor is $195 million. Individual project segment budgets will be established as they are developed.
Do you have a social media account to follow?
Follow Charleston County Government on Facebook at Charleston County Government and on Twitter at @ChasCountyGov to get the latest updates on the Main Road Corridor project.
Can the impacts to wetlands and/or trees be minimized, specifically the Butcher Oak and adjacent wetlands?
Charleston County (the County) will work to avoid Grand Tree and wetland impacts along Main Road where possible. The project team will consider a number of factors in addition to Grand Tree and wetland impacts, including construction cost, property impacts and relocations, future projected traffic, cultural resources, and threatened/ endangered species when complying with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The NEPA process mandates the consideration all of these factors in order to identify the least environmentally damaging practical alternative (LEDPA).
Can the project relocations be minimized, specifically the gas stations, Walgreens, and businesses along Old Charleston Highway?
The County will work to minimize relocations where possible. The project team will consider a number of factors in addition to relocations, including Grand Tree and wetland impacts, construction costs, future projected traffic, cultural resources, and threatened/ endangered species when complying with NEPA. The NEPA process mandates the consideration of all these factors in order to identify the LEDPA.
Once the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) approves the County’s recommendation of a preferred alternative, a more detailed design will begin. At that time, the project team will identify any relocations.
Will you address the current operation of the River Road/Chisolm Road Intersection, specifically the issue of vehicles turning right from River Road onto Main Road conflicting with vehicles turning left from Chisolm Road onto Main Road?
The County is planning to construct a roundabout at the intersection of River Road/Chisolm Road intersection. The roundabout performed best from a future traffic perspective, had the lowest wetland impacts, had the second lowest relocations, and was the elast expensive option. The design will continue to be refined moving forward.
Can you halt Johns Island development until infrastructure projects are completed?
Charleston County Public Works does not have the authority to issue building moratoriums. Please contact your Elected Officials to further discuss potential building moratoriums.
Certain alternatives add additional traffic signals to the corridor. How will you address traffic flow in regards to the number, placement, and timing of these signals?
The County will complete future traffic modeling up to the year 2043 to ensure that any new traffic signals of the preferred alternative will function efficiently. The modeling will include new and planned developments in the area. Future level of service will be one of the variables used to identify the LEDPA, as required by the NEPA process.
What is being done to address the flooding in this corridor, specifically Main Road between the railroad bridge and US 17?
The project’s purpose does include the alleviation of flooding in this area. The County will have a better idea what measures to implement after deciding on a preferred alternative.
Additionally, Charleston County Public Works has a FEMA grant to replace the culvert under the railroad tracks, which will address flooding. This project will be coordinated with their efforts to ensure the road is at an acceptable elevation. The Public Works Department anticipates the culvert replacement to occur in Summer 2021, pending permit and FEMA approval.
What is being done to address the evacuation routes within the
alternatives?
While this project’s purpose does not specifically address hurricane evacuation, the widening of Main Road between Bees Ferry and River/Chisolm will provide congestion relief when entering and exiting Johns Island. These improvements should aid in moving cars off the island in an emergency situation.
Can the project include bike/ped facilities along the entire corridor?
The scope of Main Road Corridor: Segment A includes improvements along Main Road from Bees Ferry Road to River Road/Chisolm Road. Bike and pedestrian improvements for Segment A include extending the West Ashley Greenway along Main Road with a multiuse path from the existing railroad bridge to the multiuse path at Bees Ferry Road. The County is also incorporating a 12-ft. shared-use path across the Limehouse Bridge down to the River Road/Chisolm Road intersection.
How will residents of Bolton’s Landing neighborhood access and/or make safe U-turns if access to US-17 remains a right-in, right-out only?
The entrance of Bolton’s Landing is not within the scope of this project. We understand the inconvenience of going north on US 17 from Bluewater. The County is hopeful that by improving the intersection and Main Road, the benefits of moving traffic through the intersection more efficiently and safely will lessen the inconvenience of a right-in, right-out for Bolton’s Landing residences.
Will the drainage design for the project consider future sea level rise?
Yes, the proposed drainage improvements will factor in a 2-ft. sea level rise.
When will Project Development and Permitting Process be finished?
This project is being developed as a Design Build project.
What is a Design Build Project?
Design Build is a project delivery method in which design and construction services are contracted by a single entity providing the County with a single point of responsibility.
More About Segment A