MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (February 8, 2019) - As a result of the on-going NEPA process for the Highway 41 Corridor Improvements project, staff will continue evaluations on two remaining alternatives. The latest analysis of Alternative 5a revealed extensive utility relocations costs due to the power line and gas line easement, among other factors.
Moving forward, staff will coordinate a public meeting in summer 2019, to update citizens on the recommended preferred alternative. We are working on interim improvements consisting of introducing a new southbound lane on Highway 41 from Joe Rouse Road to Highway 17 and minor intersection improvements to improve signal timing at Highway 41 and Highway 17. Charleston County and the Town of Mt. Pleasant are partnering to design and permit the interim improvements, and are working to identify the funding source for construction.
“As Chairman of County Council, I want to thank staff for working through this process to identify the best and most cost effective route for Highway 41,” said Chairman Elliott Summey. “We still have a long road ahead before we get to the final design but I look forward to the interim project providing some relief to our citizens living east of the Cooper.
Alternative updates:
Alternative 1 - Alternative 1 meets the purpose and need of the project and is being evaluated in further detail for right-of-way, cost and environmental impacts. The project team recommends the continued evaluation of Alternative 1 in the Environment Assessment (EA).
Alternative 5a - After additional analysis, Alternative 5a was eliminated from further evaluation because of the significant impacts to the utilities and environment. This alternative would result in the most property impacts, as well as tidal and non-tidal wetland impacts. This alternative also cuts through a Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) park, Laurel Hill County Park, and would prevent CCPRC from using the property for its intended use as a park as stipulated in its land trust.
Alternative 7a - Based on public comment, Alternative 7a was developed for further analysis. This alternative modifies Alternative 7, which was presented in May 2018, and avoids and minimizes impacts to residential areas along Bessemer Road. This alternative re-routes Highway 41 parallel to Bessemer Road and onto Laurel Hill County Park property then continues back along existing Dunes West Blvd. Alternative 7a meets the purpose and need of the project and is also recommended for continued evaluation in the EA.
To accommodate an increase in traffic volume, Charleston County, the Town of Mount Pleasant, and the South Carolina Department of Transportation are partnering to improve roadway capacity and ease traffic congestion along Highway 41. As a designated hurricane evacuation route and key corridor in and out of Mount Pleasant, Highway 41 will continue to experience significant use and increased traffic congestion.
Goals for Highway 41 Corridor Improvements:
- Improve capacity along the corridor;
- Improve safety for bicyclists, pedestrians and commuters;
- Provide improved capacity at the intersection of Highway 41 and U.S. 17; and
- Complete the Gregorie Ferry Road connector.
Anyone with questions about the project can call Charleston County’s Transportation Development Department at (843) 202-6140.
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