By Jonathan Rivers
jrivers@scbiznews.com
Published June 15, 2010

Following years of speculation and planning, the stretch of U.S. Highway 17 extending through Mount Pleasant will experience an extensive makeover beginning late this summer.

The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Developers Council met this morning to reveal the final decisions regarding several Charleston area roadway improvements.

Paramount in the discussion was the renovation plans of Johnnie Dodds Boulevard from the foot of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge to just north of the Interstate 526 interchange in Mount Pleasant.

The need for improvements along this stretch of highway has been an issue since a 2000 transportation plan study highlighted the town’s need to widen its main roadway to avoid congestion caused by a high volume of traffic.

The project is estimated at $80 million and includes widening the stretch of U.S. Highway 17 to three lanes in each direction and adding bike lanes and sidewalks along the frontage roads. The renovation also calls for an overpass carrying traffic over Bowman Road and extensive modifications to the other five intersections within the three mile long project.

The development effort not only affects the highway’s commuters, but also the overall appearance of the town along that route.

“The town’s long-term vision includes buildings closer to the road as properties redevelop, much like some of the redevelopment that has occurred along Coleman Boulevard,” said Jim Fisher of TranSystems, lead engineer for the project’s preliminary design.

The new layout will encourage the town to stimulate development along the frontage roads, as the proposed improvements would make storefronts and offices in this area more visible and accessible, Fisher said.

Fisher also noted the town will add more prominent signage to welcome incoming traffic as well as a “wayfinding” signage that will direct commuters to specific sites, shopping centers and hotels.

A major challenge engineers have faced is the limited right of way available to widen the roads in certain areas. Some buildings are currently  within a few feet of the frontage roads now, so it’s a tight fit in some areas along  the proposed project.

The primary source of funding for the project is the Charleston County RoadWise’s half-cent transportation sales tax. The county began collecting the tax in May 2005 to fund an array of Charleston County road improvements.

“About $70 million of the $80 million required for completing the project has been budgeted for and funded by the Roadwise transportation-half cent sales tax,” said Fisher, emphasizing that the estimate of the project’s final cost is closely in line with Charleston County Roadwise’s budget.

Fisher also noted that federal requirements have been followed through the project through close coordination with State and federal agencies, so that the project would be eligible for any federal funds that became available for the project. 

The project is expected to start in August.

Reach Jonathan Rivers at 843-849-3119.