Improving safety and connectivity for bicyclists and pedestrians across the region is a priority for Charleston County. Most of the bike/pedestrian improvement suggestions mentioned in the comments such as increasing crossing time, adding wayfinding signs, and widening the crosswalk connecting the Greenway and Bikeway will be considered as the project design progresses. In fact, the proposed improvements at the Wappoo Road intersection include stamped crosswalks and a new multi-use path connection from the West Ashley Bikeway to the West Ashley Greenway. Since Savannah Highway and Wappoo Road are owned and maintained by SCDOT, all intersection and pedestrian improvements on these roads must be approved by SCDOT.

The Savannah Highway approaches at this intersection already have existing protected/dedicated left turn signals to turn onto Wappoo Road. Historically, several evaluations have been completed in years past to determine if dedicated left turn signals are warranted at the Wappoo Road approaches to turn left onto Savannah Highway. However, in response to the comments we received during this public meeting, the project team conducted a new Left Turn Phase Evaluation in late 2022. Click here to view a copy of the latest Left Turn Phase Evaluation. This detailed analysis takes into account current traffic data and modeling, crash history, and field observations to determine if dedicated left turn signals should be considered at the Wappoo Road approaches based on SCDOT criteria. The results of the analysis revealed that only one of SCDOT’s four criteria were met, which is that more than two vehicles were consistently observed having to wait for the next green signal to complete the left turn during peak hours. The design team further evaluated the intersection and determined that the left turn delays can be reduced by adjusting the signal timings at this intersection. These signal timing adjustments will be refined, coordinated with SCDOT and the City of Charleston, and proposed to be implemented as part of the project.

The project team will conduct stormwater analysis as part of the project; however, drainage improvements will be limited to each intersection’s study area as corridor-wide drainage improvements are outside the project’s scope. The improvements are funded by the Charleston County Transportation Sales Tax (TST) Program, and the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) which limits TST spending to transportation-related infrastructure improvements. As part of the design process, the project team will complete the City of Charleston stormwater permitting process to ensure there are no negative impacts to the project area.

Charleston County recognizes there are a range of other mobility needs along Savannah Highway and the surrounding roadways; however, the Savannah Highway Capacity and Intersection Improvements project has a specific scope limited to key intersections and their connectivity to existing bike and pedestrian facilities. The County routinely evaluates requested improvement projects to be funded through its Charleston County Transportation Committee (CTC) and Transportation Sales Tax (TST) programs. To learn more information about these funding programs and/or submit a project request you can visit https://roads.charlestoncounty.org/index.php?page=funding.

Historically, several evaluations have been completed in years past to determine if protected/dedicated left turn signals are warranted at this intersection. However, in response to the comments we received during this public meeting, the project team conducted a new Left Turn Phase Evaluation in late 2022. Click here to view a copy of the latest Left Turn Phase Evaluation. This detailed analysis takes into account current traffic data and modeling, crash history, and field observations to determine if dedicated left turn signals should be considered based on SCDOT criteria. While the results of the analysis revealed that none of SCDOT’s requirements for consideration of dedicated left turn signals are met at this intersection, the intersection improvements and addition of a new left turn lane on the Dupont Road approach to Savannah Highway will help to improve traffic flow.

One of the goals of the project is to minimize right-of-way impacts to businesses along the corridor. Lengthening the stacking lane on Stinson Drive would likely require displacing a local business and result in right-of-way impacts to other businesses along Stinson Drive. The proposed improvements at the Stinson Drive intersection are projected to provide acceptable levels of service through design year 2042.

The proposed improvements at the Dupont/Stinson intersection include the addition of stamped crosswalks at Savannah Highway, as well as a new sidewalk along Dupont Road within the project limits. Charleston County recognizes there are a range of other mobility needs along Savannah Highway and the surrounding roadways; however, the Savannah Highway Capacity and Intersection Improvements project has a specific scope limited to key intersections and their connectivity to existing bike and pedestrian facilities. The County routinely evaluates requested improvement projects to be funded through its Charleston County Transportation Committee (CTC) and Transportation Sales Tax (TST) programs. To learn more information about these funding programs and/or submit a project request you can visit https://roads.charlestoncounty.org/index.php?page=funding.

While corridor-wide improvements are beyond the scope of this project, safety and connectivity improvements will be implemented at the intersections included in the project. A highlight of the project is a proposed new multi-use path connection from the West Ashley Bikeway to the West Ashley Greenway along Wappoo Road.

Public feedback is important to Charleston County and critical to the project development process. An online public information meeting was chosen so that information was available and accessible 24/7 to the public. Over the last two years, the County has experienced an increase in participation and feedback utilizing online meetings. However, the County is always open to hearing citizens’ concerns and can be available upon request to meet in person or attend an organizational meeting to provide more information and answer questions/concerns.

Charleston County recognizes that there are a range of other needs along Savannah Highway; however, the Davison Road intersection is outside of the Savannah Highway Capacity and Intersection Improvements project limits. The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) recently made several improvements to increase the visibility of the Davison Road traffic signal when traveling on Savannah Highway. These improvements include the addition of backplates to the signal heads and adding/replacing ‘Signal Ahead’ warning signs on Savannah Highway as you approach the intersection.

Access management along Savannah Highway was considered; however, removing the two-way left-turn lane along Savannah Highway is a corridor-wide safety improvement that does not support the primary purpose of the project to improve capacity and traffic flow on Savannah Highway. The scope of this project is focused on intersections where meaningful improvements in both traffic flow and safety can be accomplished.Landscaped medians are included in the proposed improvements to the Avondale area intersections.

Skylark Drive, Ashley Town Centre Drive, and Sam Rittenberg Boulevard are not included in this project’s scope because they will likely be improved as part of the Mark Clark Extension (MCE) project. The County aims to allocate taxpayer funds in a responsible and efficient manner, and improvements made today at the intersections above would likely be removed once the MCE project is constructed. More information about the MCE project can be found at: https://www.scdotmarkclark.com/.

The Main Road Corridor Improvements project is a separately funded project that is being managed by Charleston County; however, it is not part of the Savannah Highway Improvements project. More information about the Main Road Corridor Improvements project can be found at: https://www.mainroadcorridor.com/.

Reversing the direction of Alycia Alley will create a safe, signalized left turn movement onto Savannah Highway for drivers. Other improvements in Avondale, including adding landscaped medians on Savannah Highway at Daniel Street and in front of the businesses between Magnolia Road and Nicholson Street, will eliminate dangerous, left-turn vehicular movements across heavy traffic on Savannah Highway.

The County will work with property owners during the design phase to minimize property impacts and accommodate local businesses, as well as reorient, restripe, and maximize parking spaces along Alycia Alley.

The proposed intersection improvements at Magnolia Road and Avondale Avenue/Nicholson Street will reduce delay on Savannah Highway between 34% and 93% depending on the time of day. This reduction in delay will incentivize vehicular traffic to remain on Savannah Highway instead of using local neighborhood streets to avoid traffic at the currently congested intersections.

The City of Charleston is working with the property owners in the areas impacted by the proposed Avondale area improvements, and the City will support the property owners as they consider relocation of any affected businesses operating within. As the structure at 2 Avondale Avenue is older than fifty years, the demolition of the structure will need to be reviewed and approved by the City's Design Review Board. The City and Charleston County are open to the possibility of constructing a screening fence within the right of way that can also be used for public murals. The right of way acquisition process will not commence until after the design and right of way plans have been developed, but the City is in dialogue with the affected property ownership.

Charleston County recognizes that trees are an essential natural and aesthetic resource. All efforts will be made to preserve trees as the project’s design progresses. At this time, no grand tree impacts have been identified by the project team; however, plans will be updated as property surveys and final design of the proposed improvements are completed.

The project team will conduct stormwater analysis as part of the project; however, drainage improvements will be limited to each intersection’s study area as corridor-wide drainage improvements are outside the project’s scope. The improvements are funded by the Charleston County Transportation Sales Tax (TST) Program and the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) which limits TST spending to transportation-related infrastructure improvements. As part of the design process, the project team will complete the City of Charleston stormwater permitting process to ensure there are no negative impacts to the project area.

The City of Charleston will be in dialogue with both the Diocese and the Blessed Sacrament community regarding the process and benefits of the project. The project team will make every effort to ensure the church’s privacy is maintained with the proposed improvements. This may include considerations for landscaping and/or fencing to provide screening for the church’s property located adjacent to the proposed improvements.

Any potential uses to be placed on private property, including a potential parking garage, are outside the scope of the Savannah Highway Capacity and Intersection Improvements project and would not qualify for funding under the Charleston County Transportation Sales Tax Program. The City of Charleston has undertaken a study to determine the need for a parking garage in Avondale as part of its efforts to implement Plan West Ashley – a vision plan to shape the future of West Ashley’s streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces. More information about the parking study can be found at https://www.designdivision.org/avondaleurbandesignstudy.

The existing Avondale commercial district provides unique shopfronts and walkability in a shared space. The proposed improvements will make Avondale safer for vehicles and pedestrians, reduce traffic delay, and improve pedestrian connectivity at both Magnolia Road and Avondale Avenue/Nicholson Street. As we move forward in the design phase of the project, the County will make every effort to maintain residents’ privacy and quality of life. This may include considerations for landscaping and/or fencing to provide screening for properties located adjacent to the proposed improvements.

During construction of the proposed improvements there will need to be traffic control for the safety of construction crews and the traveling public. The contractor will be required to maintain traffic flow along Savannah Highway, especially during peak travel times. Construction will likely be phased by intersection to minimize disruption to the public and allow for expedited construction timeframes.