MORNING HEADLINES  |  Construction started last week to make Maybank Highway on James Island safer near a crossing point that can be hairy for pedestrians, Charleston County officials said.

The highway is gaining a new pedestrian crossing located along Maybank Highway at Terrace Plaza, which will make it easier for people to walk between the shopping center and the Charleston Pour House. The mid-block crossing will feature high-visibility traffic signals to warn drivers when pedestrians are crossing, along with a center island refuge where pedestrians can rest between lanes on a busy road. 

A new raised, landscaped and fenced median also will replace the existing centerline to prevent crossing in unsafe areas, as well as 500 linear feet of new sidewalk beginning at Stefan Drive and going east. Meanwhile, Woodland Shores Road will get a varying width sidewalk between Maybank Highway and Riverland Drive.

“Ultimately, this [project] will create a path of connectivity all the way around James Island,” said Charleston County Councilwoman Jenny Honneycutt. “It’s very important that we have safe roads for driving traffic and pedestrians.”

According to local transportation advocacy group Charleston Moves, petitions for safety features, such as raised medians and bike lanes, have been requested by community members since Maybank Highway’s 2008 resurfacing. Requests were denied until August 2019, when the Charleston County Transportation Committee voted to approve funding. 

Expansion of the project to include drainage and more safety infrastructure. During this time, county officials worked to design changes and coordinate utilities, while the budget grew to more than $3.6 million. 

Construction on Maybank Highway is expected to take two months. During improvements, there will be intermittent nighttime lane closures between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. One lane will remain open in each direction, though drivers might experience delays. 

The project’s budget includes $2.9 million in federal funding via a Charleston Area Transportation Study (CHATS) grant, $731,000 in state gas tax funds and $18,611.68 allocated through the Transportation Sales Tax Annual Allocation Program. 

Meanwhile, spring also is expected to bring the end of an ongoing drainage improvement project on Woodland Shores Road.  The new drainage system will include three 30-inch storm pipes to increase capacity and aid the flow of floodwater downstream, creating a drier path for a new sidewalk. – Alyssa McDowell

Use our great online calendar

Our new online events calendar has scores of events around the Lowcountry every day, making it the most detailed calendar of what’s happening in the area.

Just click on “Events” above at right under the black toolbar. You’ll be amazed at what you find. 

  • Also sign up today to get relevant newsletters on art, music, food, fun events, statewide news and opinion.  

In other recent headlines

CP OPINION, Brack: The political impact of simultaneous contrast. The shooting in Minnesota is a tragedy and should never have happened. Now, everyone needs to go into time out, breathe and pause. And make sure the investigation is transparent so we can know the full range of what happened.

CP FOOD: New food, bev trends for 2026. While some things never seem to change in the Lowcountry — great seafood, beautiful rice and killer cocktails — a new year always ushers in new trends in the world of cuisine.

CP NEWS: A first look at the Lowcountry congressional race to replace Mace. Talk to Palmetto State political analysts and most will tell you that three names are dominating their thinking about the 2026 1st Congressional District race at this early stage. The twist? None of them are among the 14 declared candidates listed on the Federal Election Commission website.

Lowcountry hospitals take precautions as flu cases spike. Hospitals throughout the Lowcountry are implementing safety precautions like masking and visitor restrictions as flu cases rise to the highest levels some systems say they’ve ever seen.

Lowcounty counties under “red flag” burn alert. Residents in 33 S.C. counties, including Charlston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties, are being told to refrain from burning items outdoors as dry conditions and low humidity combine to increase the likelihood of forest fires.

S.C. WEEK IN REVIEW: Columbia turns out in big numbers for monk’s Walk for Peace. Hundreds were on hand in Columbia Saturday when 17 Buddhist monks made their way to the S.C. Statehouse, part of their 2,300-mile walk to Washington, D.C. to promote peace.

Charleston police investigating deadly West Ashley shooting. Police say the victim was found dead in a car along Trip Street after being shot “multiple times.”

North Charleston District 1 voters will go to the polls Tuesday. Tuesday is Election Day in North Charleston District 6, where voters will choose between six candidates to replace former City Councilman Mike Brown, who pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges last year.

Support independent journalism

Keep the City Paper strong with a winter gift. This holiday season, please consider donating $25 — or even $100 — to support free, independent journalism at the Charleston City Paper. Every donation helps keep alive a voice of freedom. Your help is appreciated.

Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.

Help support independent journalism by donating today.

[empowerlocal_ad sponsoredarticles]