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In addition to our advocacy efforts, we seek to keep our fellow Islanders informed on transportation projects on our Island.  We hope you find this monthly update of consolidated State, County, and City information useful. 
Recent Activities
  • County Council will take up a resolution to identify ways to alleviate traffic congestion along Maybank Highway.
  • The timeline for the Main Road Corridor Segment C project (Bohicket Road) has been revised. 
  • SCDOT proposes to repave a portion of Main Road.
  • State funding for the Mark Clark Extension project has not been forthcoming and the County has not released its plan for funding.

The details are given below.  If you know of other efforts or have questions, don't hesitate to contact us at RationalRoads@gmail.com.
 

Maybank Highway Traffic Congestion Relief
 

On June 1st County Council will take up a resolution introduced by Councilmember Joe Boykin.  The resolution is "to authorize county staff to collaborate with city staff and the County’s Maybank Highway Improvement Design Consultant in efforts to identify ways to further alleviate traffic congestion along Maybank Highway based on the current approved development and traffic volumes, provided there are funds available in the Maybank Highway Improvement Project."

We encourage the city and county to seriously consider the improvements we recently proposed (see image above).  These improvements holistically address the congestion issues around the Maybank-River intersection while also being sensitive to our environment. 
 

Main Road Corridor Segment C Project (Bohicket Road)
 

The County had previously wanted to downselect to one or two alternatives for this project and then go out for public comment this spring.

They are still working on the downselect and are focusing on a combination of Alternatives 1A and Alternative 6.  Alt 1A proposes to widened Bohicket and Main Roads from Edenvale Road to Brownswood Road to 4 or 5 lanes.   Alt 6 proposes to selectively address where the congestion issues are (at the intersections), provide a network of roads to help relieve congestion, and address safety issues.

The County is finalizing the traffic analysis and will then perform a tree survey.  Due to this effort, the public meeting is delayed and is now expected to occur around August or September.
 

SCDOT Proposes to Repave a Portion of Main Road
 


SCDOT is requesting public comments for their 2024 Pavement Improvement Program.  They have two categories of pavement improvement:
  •  "Rehabilitation projects extend the life of existing pavement structures either by restoring existing structural capacity through the removal and replacement of deteriorated pavement surface or by increasing pavement thickness to strengthen existing pavement sections to accommodate existing or projected traffic loading conditions.  It is a cost effective technique to address failing pavements before they require reconstruction."
  • "Reconstruction usually requires the complete removal and replacement of the existing pavement structure.  It is appropriate when a pavement has structurally failed and can no longer support the traffic demand.  Reconstruction increases the structural capacity of the pavement to a level that is required for long term performance."
One of the proposed projects is the reconstruction of 1.64 miles of Main Road from Mary Ann Point Road to Maybank Highway.

Comments are due to SCDOT by June 8th.  You can supply your comments here.  Please tell them that Main Road must remain a high priority for 2024.
 

Mark Clark Extension (aka 526)
 
 
At the end of January County Council authorized $75M be sent to SCDOT for permit work and land acquisitions for the Mark Clark Extension (MCE) project.  Over three months later, the State Joint Bond Review Committee (JBRC) has yet to authorize the State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) to release their matching $75M.  Until that happens, there are limited funds to continue work on this project.

The County has yet to release their plan to fund this $2.2B project (less the $420M the state will provide).  It is uncertain if the $2.2B includes the cost for litigation, bond servicing, and needed improvements to River and Brownswood Roads as well as contingencies for cost overruns.
 
Upcoming Activities
Mark Clark Extension (aka 526):  The County must develop a plan to fund their portion of the project and to also cover the cost for litigation, bond servicing, and needed improvements to River and Brownswood Roads as well as contingencies for cost overruns.  The Joint Bond Review Committee must also approve the State Infrastructure Bank to provide the $75M matching funds.  Unknown timeline.

Main Road and Mary Ann Point Road Intersection:  The County will determine what improvements will be made, funding, and schedule by the end of June.

Main Road Corridor Segment C (aka Bohicket Road):  The County will hold a public meeting in Aug/Sep.

Main Road Corridor Segment A (aka 17 and Main flyover):  Design-build contract to be awarded by the County in Q3 of 2023.

Northern Pitchfork:  The County to complete this effort by end of 2023 or early 2024.

Upper River Road (Main to Maybank):  SCDOT/County to repave in 2023.

Main Road:  SCDOT/County to repave from Mary Ann Point to Maybank in 2024
In the News
Transportation Projects
Consolidated Johns Island Transportation Project Schedule
 

The graphic above shows the schedules for key road projects on Johns Island.  There is some uncertainty in these schedules, especially for projects that are further out in time.  For example:
  • The duration of Segment C of the Main Road Corridor Project will vary based upon which alternative is chosen.
  • The start of the Mark Clark Extension is dependent upon funding.
Our website has details on all the transportation projects on Johns Island. 
 
Useful Links and Contacts
Contact Information
Transportation Resources
Reimagining Johns Island Roads
If you have any comments, are aware of other road improvements, other collisions, or if there are errors, please email us at RationalRoads@gmail.com.
 

Contact us at RationalRoads@gmail.com
Learn more at RationalRoads.org
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