By Daniel Brock
dbrock@scbiznews.com
Published July 28, 2010

Some rural areas of the Lowcountry could be significantly altered under a $489 million road plan pitched today by a pair of transportation agencies.

A rendering of the proposed Mainline Parkway in the Interstate 526 expansion proposal. (click to enlarge)

Map of the proposed expansion, titled Alternative G. (click to enlarge)

The S.C. Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration unveiled a draft environmental impact statement for their preferred method of extending Interstate 526.

The plan would link West Ashley, Johns Island and James Island via a 7.9-mile-long parkway. Unlike the spartan Mark Clark Expressway, the new stretch would be a boulevard-like four-lane road that features low posted speed limits and facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Officials said the project will increase regional transportation system capacity, improve safety and enhance mobility in the area.

The plan is the culmination of more than two years of study and since Charleston County turned over project management duties to the S.C. DOT. That information-gathering effort whittled 39 plans down to seven feasible courses of action, including the idea presented today, called Alternative G.

“We tried to come up with an understanding of what the needs are and where the public stands and what they want to do,” said David Kinard, project manager for the S.C. DOT.

Features of the plan include

• 35- to 45-mph speed limits on four lanes divided by a 15-foot median.
• A multiuse path along the entire length to accommodate bicycles and pedestrians.
• Connections to James Island County Park and the West Ashley Greenway, making for an 18-mile bike and pedestrian path.
• The lowest price tag among the options studied by the S.C. DOT.
• A bridge from U.S. Highway 17 across the Stono River to Johns Island.
• Two connector roads on Johns Island running into River Road north and south of Maybank Highway. Also, improvements would be made to the Maybank Highway-River Road intersection.
• A bridge from Johns Island across the Stono River to James Island.
• The parkway would run along Island County Park’s northern boundary, intersecting Riverland Drive and continuing northeast to tie into the James Island Connector at the Folly Road interchange.
• Access to Central Park Road via Riley Road and Up on the Hill Road.

Click image for timeline of project.

Questions abound about the plan, and the DOT will host a pair of formal public meetings to address concerns and take comments. The forums are scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 31 and Sept. 2 at Burke High School, 244 President St.

A glaring issue already is a gap in funding. The S.C. Transportation Infrastructure Bank Board approved a $420 million loan to the county for the project in 2006, but that amount was based on a different alignment and construction dollars from an earlier year.

“It’s up to the state to figure out where the rest of the money is coming from, in my mind,” said County Councilman Elliott Summey.

The plan would also displace 22 homes and four businesses, though the DOT did not provide the identities of those affected.

“I have a lot of concerns about the residences that are going to be impacted. That’s going to equate to a lot more individuals being displaced,” Councilman Curtis Inabinett said.

The Coastal Conservation League, voiced its displeasure with the plan, which affects 17 acres of wetlands and calls for five miles of bridges to be constructed, primarily in two separate spans over the Stono River.

“You’re never going to make everyone happy all of the time,” Kinard said. “It’s the best in some areas, and it’s not necessarily the best in other areas. That’s the things we try to look and balance out the best we can. Overall it (this option) stands out.”

Reach Daniel Brock at 843-849-3144.