By Matt Tomsic
mtomsic@scbiznews.com
Published May 17, 2011

Charleston County Council voted to revive the Interstate 526 expansion Tuesday night during its council meeting, reversing course after voting to scrap the project weeks earlier.

Council voted 5-3 to approve a Finance Committee recommendation to rescind the April vote to not build the project and to further negotiate with the state. Councilwoman Colleen Condon, Councilman Dickie Schweers and Councilman Joe Qualey voted against the recommendation.

During the committee meeting, Councilman Henry Darby introduced three motions: to reconsider council’s vote to scrap the project, to rescind that vote and to have the county attorney negotiate with the state to explore opportunities for the I-526 extension and give the council alternatives.

The project would extend the interstate from West Ashley through Johns and James islands.

Charleston Mayor Joe Riley said the area will have traffic nightmares in future decades if the project isn’t completed. He also offered to enter into a compact with Charleston County about limiting development around I-526.

The votes passed 6-3, 6-3 and 5-4, respectively. Condon, Schweers and Qualey voted against the three motions. Councilman Herb Sass joined them in voting against the third motion.

Councilman Vic Rawl explained the position of the majority that voted for Darby’s motions. Rawl said the State Infrastructure Bank held Charleston County Council in default for its vote to scrap the extension project. By rescinding that vote and voting for more negotiations in the project, it allows council to look at its options, which it couldn’t do if it was in default.

Last week, the state gave council 60 days to decide whether to revisit the project or pay the state nearly $12 million in expenses already incurred for the project.

Riley and North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey praised council for its action after the committee vote.

Riley said Johns Island will continue to grow, and the area will need a better evacuation route from that area, saying the project could determine who lives and dies in a future hurricane, like the 1893 hurricane. In 50 years, Riley said, people will look back and know council had the courage to make improvements to better their quality of life.

Reach Matt Tomsic at 843-849-3144.