|
Despite road headaches, economic development rolls on
By Dennis Quick
Senior Staff Writer
Even though Lowcountry traffic has grown heavier and many roads remain potholed, the region has made sizeable efforts in repairing its infrastructure.
That is the assessment of Dan Hatley, planning director of the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments.
Hatley pointed out that nearly 30 road projects suggested by the Charleston Area Transportation Study have been completed, are in progress or are on the drawing board.
Some of these projects include the widening of major arterials such as Ashley Phosphate Road in North Charleston, completed; College Park Road in Goose Creek, in process; U.S. Highway 17 North, from Interstate 526 to the Isle of Palms Connector in Mount Pleasant, in process; and Ladson Road in Ladson, completed.
Other notable projects on the board include the widening of Dorchester Road between Trolley and Ashley Phosphate roads, the building of an overpass on Rivers Avenue near Harley Street, the realignment of Interstate 26, and about $30 million worth of intersection improvements and road accommodations for pedestrians and bicycles.
All told, the council is eyeing some $1.3 billion worth of infrastructure improvements over the next 25 years.
Hatley acknowledged that the state Department of Transportation “has probably gotten behind on road maintenance” but pointed out that South Carolina’s state road system is “huge,” rivaling that of Texas, yet lacks sufficient funding for road upkeep.
The Palmetto State ranks 48th in the nation in highway spending.
The Lowcountry’s infrastructure problems have had little impact on the region’s industry recruitment efforts and economic development.
“I can truly tell you with a straight face that I am not aware of one prospect that we have ever lost due to this problem,” said Steve Dykes, Charleston County economic development director.
Dykes cited the recent arrival of distribution facilities such as Union Underwear, Shimano American and FoodHandlers as proof of the region’s strong intermodal network of rails, highways and the port.
He added “we are still receiving calls on a daily basis from site consultants and national real estate firms scouting potential sites and buildings for other logistics firms.”
Road infrastructure has presented few obstacles to the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, which promotes the Lowcountry’s quality of life in addition to other regional attributes in the alliance’s mission to bring more industry here, said David Ginn, CRDA president and chief executive.
“In fact, we’re now entering an era of local option sales tax funding for numerous road, transportation and green-space projects, which should continue to be helpful as our community continues to grow,” Ginn noted.
Three new bridges—the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, the Stono River bridge and the Limehouse bridge—have helped bolster the Lowcountry’s infrastructure.
Dennis Quick is senior staff writer for the Business Journal. E-mail him at dquick@charlestonbusiness.com.
|
E-Mail This Article
Printer-Friendly Version