Work on a traffic flyover project from U.S. Highway 17 to Main Road to alter a congesting choking point dramatically at rush hour is about half done, county officials said.
“We are at 28 months from substantial completion,” Charleston County Council Chairman Joe Boykin told the Charleston City Paper. “The project will enhance safety throughout the corridor by bringing the roadway up to current design and safety standards.”
The project, which includes a lot of other work along the traffic corridor, also will provide better, safer opportunities for travel by bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as improving drainage in the area during storms.
Boykin added, “In addition to safety improvements, the new multi-directional ramp system will reduce congestion and increase capacity by replacing the existing traditional intersections with a free‑flow traffic pattern.”
Boykin also said the project includes a planned roundabout at the Main/River/Chisolm intersection on Johns Island that also will enhance a smoother movement for vehicles on and off the island.
“Together, these improvements address the two major trouble spots and are expected to provide significant relief for everyone commuting to and from Johns Island.”
Rush-hour commuters still sit in traffic looking dreamily at what’s to come. But now, compared to years of nothing, they see something being done. But it’s still going to take time.
“We ask folks to be patient as we work expeditiously to complete the project,” said Boykin, who lives on Johns Island. “We do encourage commuters to be careful when driving through the project corridor as construction is often occurring adjacent to lanes of travel.”
The flyover project got the go-ahead to start construction in September 2024, according to Herbert Nimz, engineering division manager for Charleston County Public Works.
“As you can probably tell, and everybody seems to tell me when they drive by, they’re surprised by what’s been done in such a short amount of time.”
Nimz said the construction team hopes to open up “Ramp 3” by the end of the year. It will be the connection from Main Road to U.S. Highway 17. He said the new connection would be open for two-way traffic to allow construction on the new flyover bridge from Highway 17 to be done more safely.
NEXT PROJECT UPDATE: The county will have a quarterly construction update at 6:30 p.m. May 12 at St. John’s High School on Main Road. The hour-long meeting will offer insights into construction progress and give taxpayers a chance to ask questions, Boykin said. To learn more, visit the project website: mainroadcorridor.com
Skyler Baldwin contributed to this story.
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