County Council updates 2026 Transportation Sales Tax draft program, launches second phase of public input

During a Special County Council meeting tonight, councilmembers voted to advance a revised working draft of a potential 2026 Transportation Sales Tax (TST) program, incorporating adjusted allocation amounts and a list of specific projects proposed for funding under the program. Under the draft program approved tonight (attached), funding would be structured as follows:

 

Proposed Funding Allocations:

• 63.52% or $2.7 billion – Roadway Infrastructure
• 20.24% or $860 million – Public Transit
  • Includes $25 million for implementation of the Downtown Route Study
• 16.24% or $690 million – Greenbelt Program

 Featured Projects Identified:

• City of North Charleston
  • Rivers Avenue Overpass @ Durant Avenue
  • Mall Drive (SC-790) Improvements
  • Patriot Boulevard Widening
  • Stall Road Improvements (Midland Park, Ashley Phosphate)
  • Better North Bridge
• City of Charleston
  • Battery Extension – West / Calhoun Street – Medical District
  • Maybank Highway Southern Pitchford & Roundabout
  • Glenn McConnell Parkway at Magwood Road
  • US 17 South Widening (Dobbin to Main Road)
  • Better North Bridge
  • Hagood Avenue Improvement Plan
• Unincorporated
  • US 17 South Widening (Main Road to -162)
• Town of Mount Pleasant
  • Johnnie Dodds at Houston Northcutt / Wingo Way 1A, 1B
  • Long Point Road Resiliency (Boone Hall Creek and 2 lane section) 2A and 2B

 Bike, pedestrian, and intersection safety and improvement projects were also identified and are detailed in the attached.

 Additionally, councilmembers directed staff to begin an additional phase of public outreach to gather feedback on the revised draft program and associated project list. Staff will collect community input over the next 30+ days and present the results to County Council in April for further consideration and refinement.

 “Nothing is more important to the future of Charleston County than how we address growth. Knowing both the cost and consequences of inaction, tonight’s vote marks an important milestone in this process,” said Charleston County Council Chairman Joe Boykin. “This updated draft program gives residents a clearer picture of how their priorities could be addressed, both in how funds are allocated and in the specific projects proposed. Importantly, it remains a work in progress, and as we move into the next phase of public input, County Council is committed to listening carefully, making adjustments where needed, and continuing to refine the program based on the feedback we receive.”

 If approved, the proposed 2026 TST program is projected to generate approximately $4.25 billion over 25 years. The draft framework being advanced for public input builds on months of engagement, including more than 29,000 individual public comments, more than 600 project ideas submitted by the public and municipalities, and approximately $68 billion in identified transportation needs countywide.

 All projects included in the draft were evaluated using a 100-point scoring system based on public and municipal support, congestion relief, and safety improvements, as well as consistency with guiding principles previously adopted by County Council.

 The next phase of community outreach will provide residents and municipal partners an opportunity to review the revised allocations and featured projects and offer feedback before County Council considers additional revisions in April.