MORNING HEADLINES  |  State transportation sales tax money is fueling work on several county road projects, including the long-desired flyover to relieve congestion on U.S. Highway 17 at Main Road in West Ashley. 

The Highway 17 project, which isn’t expected to be finished until September 2028,is one of the largest stemming from the sales tax funds, involving $445 million in upgrades. The plan is to build an elevated interchange, plus flyover bridges to give direct access to Main Road without having to go through the intersection itself.

After years of planning, project leaders are finalizing design plans for the roadway and the near-400 utility relocations to make the project possible, according to a WCSC TV report. Construction could start within the next couple of months. Project leaders warn there will be significant impacts to traffic in the area once construction starts.

Meanwhile, a portion of a busy James Island road will be closed for months as drainage project work begins on Central Park Road. The corridor will be closed between the intersections of Riverland Drive and Fleming Road beginning this weekend through November.

In recent days, the S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT) received more than $200 million for bridge and road repair and improvements after the impact of Hurricane Helene. The funds come from a request to the U.S. General Assembly. State leaders said improvements will be phase one of a long-term plan to get the state’s infrastructure caught up to the population growth over the last few years.

In today’s issue of the Charleston City Paper:

 CP OPINION: Break out pom-poms for Spoleto, Piccolo. “Good fortune continues to smile on the Charleston area, particularly at this time of the year when the city bustles with all manner of artists and creatives.”

CP NEWS: Fear and loathing in South Carolina. You can feel fear, anxiety and anger emanating like rippling waves of South Carolina heat when people start talking about the state of America months after Donald Trump started his second presidential administration.

CP NEWS: Tariff impact varies in Charleston’s vital tourism economy. The price tag on a few items sold in the historic Charleston City Market is up slightly because of tariff policies, vendors say, and there are varying reactions on how they have affected local tourist traffic.

CP NEWS: Charleston celebrates World Oceans Day June 8. Join Toby the Turtle and the Folly Litter Committee in a weekend celebration of World Oceans Day, which is celebrated across the globe.

CP FESTIVALS: Scottish Performing Arts Classic on June 6-7 keeps Gaelic culture alive. The Clan Donald Trust for the Gaelic Performing Arts is a major force in the preservation and promotion of the Gaelic performing arts.

CP FOOD: Philadelphia pizzeria owner who hires only formerly incarcerated people to visit Charleston. Muhammad Abdul-Hadi, the founder of Down North Pizza, hires only those who have been incarcerated. He will be in Charleston June 11 at the Charleston Wine + Food Test Kitchen to discuss food, activism and collaboration.

CP MUSIC: Charleston singer Means debuts solo album at Pour House. Charleston singer, songwriter and upright bassist Shelby Means will do something she’s never done before as a musician. On June 7, she’ll debut a solo album at the Pour House on James Island.

In other headlines:

Charleston County leaders discuss use of $9M in funds after Airbnb lawsuit. Charleston County leaders are finding ways to use extra funds after their participation in a lawsuit against the vacation rental company Airbnb.

‘Mountains of paperwork’ left after ICE arrested 80 at Ladson club. Nearly a week after federal, state and local law enforcement hauled off 80 people from a 24-hour nightclub in a large-scale sting, few records associated with the operation have been made public.

Heyward-Washington House dig helps uncover Charleston history. An ongoing excavation in the garden at the Heyward-Washington House is unearthing new information about the use of the property through the centuries.

Mount Pleasant doctor urges men to get screened for Men’s Health Awareness Month. Men’s Health Awareness Month is officially here and, for Lowcountry doctors, that means highlighting the challenges that uniquely impact this group.

Charleston bank building to add retail space after selling for nearly $46M. An early 1990s-era downtown Charleston office building that’s due for a makeover has been sold to an investment group promising to add some ground-floor pizzazz to the high-profile property.

McMaster, S.C. leaders conduct ‘tabletop exercise’ as hurricane season begins. Hurricane season is now underway, and South Carolina leaders are urging everyone to be ready for it, regardless of where they live.

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