SCDOT LAUNCHES PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING FOR I-526 LOWCOUNTRY CORRIDOR EAST STUDY

SCDOT requests input on Reasonable Alternatives and Analysis

COLUMBIA, S.C. (October 11, 2021) – Today, the South Carolina Department of Transportation launched a public information meeting online for the I-526 Lowcountry Corridor (I-526 LCC) EAST Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL), which extends from Virginia Avenue in North Charleston to approximately U.S. Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant. The online meeting is available through December 1, 2021 and can be found by visiting www.526LowcountryCorridor.com/eastvpim2021. Additionally, there will be two in-person open house public information meetings where the public is invited to view the materials and discuss with project staff. The online meeting includes the same materials that will be available for viewing at the in-person meetings.

The purpose of the public information meeting is to explain how public input has been used to inform the concepts development and screening process, ask for input on the Reasonable Alternatives, outline the next steps in the project development process, and gather information on historic or cultural resources and any potential impacts.

The I-526 Lowcountry Corridor EAST is one of South Carolina's most congested interstate corridors and includes the Don Holt Bridge and the James B. Edwards Bridge, which are significant river crossings. The purpose for transportation improvements along this corridor is to improve travel time reliability and reduce congestion along I-526 from Virginia Avenue in North Charleston to US 17 in Mount Pleasant.

"This public information meeting represents a valuable opportunity to receive public input on the potential solutions we are presenting" said SCDOT Project Manager Joy Riley. "With the amount of congestion along this corridor now, further compounded by the current trend of regional growth, it is now more important than ever to find effective solutions."

There will be two open house in-person public information meetings:

  • Tuesday, October 26, 5-7 PM, R. L. Jones Center (391 Egypt Road, Mount Pleasant, SC)
  • Wednesday, October 27, 5-7 PM, Felix C. Davis Community Center (4800 Park Circle, North Charleston, SC - CARTA Routes 13 & 104)



    These open house meetings will not have a formal presentation. COVID-19 conditions will be continually monitored. In accordance with current public health guidelines, temperature checks will be performed at all meetings. Anyone with a temperature of over 100.4 will not be allowed to enter the facility. The City of North Charleston currently requires masks inside their buildings. Masks are highly encouraged when not required. Check the project website or call for updates.



    Information presented online will be available in both English and Spanish, and Spanish translators will be available at both in-person meetings. Additional information concerning the project may be found online at 526LowcountryCorridor.com, by emailing info@526LowcountryCorridor.com , or calling the project hotline (843.258.1135). For those needing special accommodations, please call 803.737.1395.



    The public is encouraged to submit a comment through December 1, 2021. Comments may be submitted on the project website, by email to info@526LowcountryCorridor.com, by mail (Attn. Joy Riley, SC Department of Transportation, Post Office Box 191, 955 Park Street, Columbia, SC  29202-0191), or by calling the project hotline (843.258.1135). Comments must be postmarked or submitted electronically by December 1, 2021.



    This study will be used to establish a vision for the corridor that will guide future transportation improvement projects. Results of the PEL study will be carried forward into the next phase of the project development process, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.

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Media Contact:

Joy Riley, PE, DBIA

SCDOT Project Manager

info@526LowcountryCorridor.com

803.737.1346