Columbia, S.C. (September 14, 2026) - The South Carolina Department of Transportation and Coastal Carolina University are moving forward with a series of immediate improvements along SC-544, designed to support safer travel for pedestrians and motorists near the university.
The improvements will include reducing the speed limit to 35 mph, installing a HAWK (High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk) pedestrian-activated signal, and enhancing pavement markings in the SC-544 corridor. SCDOT expects to implement these immediate safety improvements this year.
These actions are part of a continued partnership between SCDOT and Coastal Carolina University to address pedestrian safety along SC-544 and support the growing number of students, faculty, staff, and motorists who use the corridor each day.
“Safety is at the heart of everything we do at SCDOT, and we are committed to working with Coastal Carolina University to make SC-544 safer for everyone who uses it,” said SCDOT Secretary Justin Powell. “We appreciate the University’s partnership and its continued commitment to finding solutions that will improve safety today, while also advancing longer-term improvements. By working together, we can make meaningful progress for pedestrians and motorists along this important corridor.”
In addition to the immediate improvements, SCDOT will continue to support the development of Coastal Carolina University’s planned pedestrian bridge over SC-544 near Founders Drive. The University has already advanced the project through feasibility and predesign work and has taken steps toward acquiring property needed for the project.
Earlier today, CCU's board of trustees approved the final acquisition of property needed for the pedestrian walkway project, advancing the project to phase 2 of the state approval process. The board also approved an intergovernmental agreement between Coastal Carolina University and the South Carolina Department of Transportation that authorizes SCDOT to manage the pedestrian walkway project and related improvements, marking another significant milestone as the project moves toward design and construction.
“We appreciate SCDOT’s partnership and commitment to improving safety for our students and the entire CCU community,” said Coastal Carolina University President James J. Winebrake, Ph.D. “The immediate measures being implemented along SC-544, combined with our continued work on the pedestrian bridge, represent important steps toward creating safer connections between our campus and the surrounding community.”
As the pedestrian bridge project continues through planning and design, SCDOT and CCU will also consider additional potential long-term safety improvements along the corridor. This work will help identify opportunities to further improve pedestrian connections and safety as the University continues to grow.
SCDOT and Coastal Carolina University will continue coordinating on the timing and implementation of the improvements and will provide additional information as the projects progress.