When we meet with fellow Johns Islanders or read their posts on social media, we realize that Islanders still do not know what is happening with the roads on Johns Island. We felt the best way to address this is to publish a monthly update on Johns Island roads.
This first edition is rather long. In future editions we will concentrate on changes. Please look it over. If you have any comments or if there are omissions or errors, please email us at RationalRoads@gmail.com. Also email us to tell us if this type of information is useful to you.
Pleased note that the intent of this monthly update is to provide the status of road projects. We will continue to send out other emails that will advocate for specific improvements.
|
|
|
Johns Island Primary Roads
|
|
|
Maybank Highway
Background
- 2007: Johns Island Community Plan calls for “Town and Country” approach, with Maybank primarily two lanes and center turn lane
- 2009: Report from the Urban Land Institute regarding the pitchforks
- 2014: SCDOT withdraws $15M funding
Maybank from Church Creek Bridge to Main/Bohicket (A)
- "Sea Island Community Sidewalk": Sidewalk being installed on north side of Maybank. Project is in construction phase.
Maybank and Main/Bohicket Intersection (B)
- See Main Road Corridor Segment C
Maybank between Main/Bohicket and River (C)
- Only improvements envisioned are those required by SCDOT for new developments, e.g. turn lanes
Maybank and River Intersection (D)
- Project completed in 2018
- No additional improvements planned
Maybank from River to Stono Bridge (E)
-
Northern Pitchfork
- Scope: New road (~0.5 mi) from Maybank at Fenwick Hall Allee to upper River Road with traffic light at Maybank
- Current Status: On County Council Finance Committee agenda for Nov 3 @ 5:00 pm
- Funding: TST
- Budget: Lowest qualified bid Gulf Stream Construction Company for $4.3M
- Schedule: Start construction ??? and it is expected to take about 2 years
-
Southern Pitchfork
- Scope: New road from Maybank to lower River Road
- Current Status: Inactive
- Comment: Project appears to be on life support
|
|
|
Main and Bohicket Roads
Main Road Corridor Project Background
Segment A:
- Scope: Main Road from Bees Ferry to Old Pond, ~2.4 mi (aka the Main and 17 flyover)
- Current Status: The design-build contract bids are being evaluated with an award anticipated in Spring 2023
- Funding: TST + $40.7 million from State Transportation Infrastructure Bank (July 2020)
- Budget: ???
- Schedule: Start construction in Spring 2023 and expected to take ??? months
Segment B:
- Scope: Main Road from Old Pond to Brownswood, ~4.3 mi
- Current Status: Inactive
- Comments
- SCDOT conducted a Road Safety Audit to identify safety improvements at Main and Mary Ann Point Roads. A draft report with recommendations is expected by the end of the year.
Segment C:
- Scope: Main/Bohicket Roads from Brownswood to Betsy Kerrison, ~7.6 mi
- Current Status: Determining if downselect to 1 or 2 alternatives. Will get back with public in late spring 2023 with downselected alternatives.
- Funding: TST
- Cost Estimate: April 2022 cost estimate $40 to $200M (Alternative dependent)
- Schedule : Hope to start construction in 2025/2026 and expected to take ??? months
|
|
|
River Road
Upper River Road (from Main/Chisolm to Maybank) (~4.8 mi)
- New Elementary School impact:
- Roundabout at entrance to school
- Turn lanes at Brownswood … left turn on River to Brownswood and right turn on Brownswood to River
- MCE improvements at on/off ramp located near Rushland Landing Road (“Connector A”)
- Only other improvements envisioned are those required by SCDOT for new developments, e.g. turn lanes
Lower River Road (From Maybank to Bohicket/Betsy Kerrison) (~12 mi)
- River/Bohicket/Betsy Kerrison intersection: see Main Road Corridor Segment C
- MCE improvements at on/off ramp located near Ardwick Road (“Connector B”)
- Only other improvements envisioned are those required by SCDOT for new developments, e.g. turn lanes
|
|
- Scope: ~9.5 mi road from West Ashley to James Island with two connections of Johns Island
- Current Status:
- Reevaluation of cost expected by end of this year.
- County will then determine funding sources by Spring 2023
- Funding: $420M from State Transportation Infrastructure Bank, remainder from County
- Cost Estimate: $2.35B … from April 2022 SCDOT Secretary Christy Hall letter
- Schedule: Construction planned to begin in 2028 and is expected to take ??? months
|
|
Background
Go here to find details on Charleston County transportation projects.
Go here to find out about resurfacing projects.
Funding Sources
Go here for an overview of funding.
2016 Half-Cent Sales Tax, aka Transportation Sales Tax (TST)
- $1.89B total for roads .. includes administrative costs and debt service on bonds issued to pay for the projects
- Projects include “US 17 at Main Road flyover and widening Main Road from Bees Ferry to Betsy Kerrison with Parkway type section at Bohicket"
|
|
US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORATION (USDOT)
- Emily Lawton: Federal Highway Administration, South Carolina Division, Division Administrator, 803-765-5411, emily.lawton@dot.gov
SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (SCDOT)
SCDOT Commission
- David E. "Gene" Branham, Sr: Chairman
- [Vacant]: First Congressional District Commissioner
SCDOT Leadership
- Christy Hall: Secretary of Transportation, 803-737-0874, hallca@scdot.org
- Leland Colvin: Deputy Secretary for Engineering, 803-737-7900, colvinld@scdot.org
Columbia Staff
- James (Jae) Mattox: Alternative Delivery Engineer (SCDOT lead for the Mark Clark Extension), MattoxJH@scdot.org
- David Meekins, Traffic Engineering, School Operations, 803-737-1911, Meekinsdj@scdot.org
Charleston Area (District 6)
- Tim Henderson: District 6 Administrator, 843-740-1665, hendersotr@scdot.org
- Josh Johnson: District 6 Traffic Engineer, 843-746-6719, johnsonja@scdot.org
CHARLESTON COUNTY
County Transportation Committee (CTC)
- Wilbert O’Brien (Brien) Limehouse, Chairman
Public Services Staff
- Jim Armstrong: Deputy Administrator for Public Services (which includes roads), 843-202-6145, JArmstrong@charlestoncounty.org
- Steve Thigpen: Public Works Director, 843-202-6146, SThigpen@charlestoncounty.org
- Devri Detoma, Transportation Engineering Manager, 843-202-6144, DDetoma@charlestoncounty.org
- Herbert Nimz: Main Road Corridor Project Manager, 843-607-8596, hnimz@charlestoncounty.org
CITY OF CHARLESTON
- Robert (Robby) Somerville: Traffic & Transportation Director, 843-973-7288, SOMERVILLER@charleston-sc.gov
- James Wallace: Traffic Operations Manager, 843-973-7288, wallacej@charleston-sc.gov
|
|
|
As always, thank you for your support and advocacy.
Your neighbors at Rational Roads.
|
|
|
|
|
