During tonight’s meeting of Charleston County Council’s Finance Committee, Public Works Director Eric Adams delivered a comprehensive update on the county’s Transportation Sales Tax (TST) program, which is funded by two half-cent sales taxes passed by county voters in 2004 and 2016. His presentation is attached and can be viewed here.
In it, Adams presented a program overview and laid out noteworthy accomplishments in each of the major program areas, including:
Pavement Management – $73M
- 223 miles resurfaced
- 656 miles preserved
Bike and Pedestrian Infrastructure – $10M
- 47 completed projects
- 25 miles of sidewalks completed
- 4 miles of bike lanes completed
- 5 miles of multi-use paths completed
Intersection Improvements – $26M
- 54 intersections improved
- 15 projects underway
Rural Roads & Local Paving – $31M
- 74 projects completed
- 15 miles improved
2004 TST Bonded Projects – $746M
- 12 projects completed
- 30 miles of sidewalks
- 8 miles each of bike lanes and multi-use paths
2016 TST Featured Projects – $127.4M to date
- 2 projects completed
- 12 active projects
Among the major transportation projects currently underway are the Palmetto Commerce Interchange, which is expected to reach substantial completion on time and under budget next year, and Main Road Segment A—the largest infrastructure project in Charleston County history—which officials broke ground on in September.
Additionally, Adams described the standard project delivery timeline from conception to completion, including a detailed presentation of the required—often lengthy—environmental permitting process that precedes construction.
“Project by project, we’re building a safer, smoother, and more connected Charleston County,” said Planning and Public Works Committee Chair Teddie Pryor. “Tonight’s update underscores the impact of our Transportation Sales Tax program—real improvements on roads, sidewalks, and intersections that make daily travel better for all. And there’s much more to come.”
To learn more about the TST program history, please click here.
