|
Charleston County News Release MEDIA CONTACT Name: Jennie Davis Flinn, Charleston County Public Information Officer Phone: (843) 958-4012 Email: jflinn@charlestoncounty.org Release Number: 3114 Release Date: May 19, 2010 Project Web page: http://www.ccroadwise.org/gm_526_const.html Image of the project design: http://www.ccroadwise.org/file/images/526gmexhibit.jpg Photos from kick-off event: http://www.charlestoncounty.org/newsimages/glennmcconnell.htm Construction Begins on Glenn McConnell Parkway/I-526 Improvements Charleston County will oversee major bond project funded by the Transportation Sales Tax An event was held on Wednesday, May 19, to kick-off construction beginning this week on the Glenn McConnell Parkway/I-526 Improvement Project. Speakers at the kick-off event were: The $6.8 million project, which is expected to be completed by April 2011, is funded by the Charleston County Transportation Sales Tax and managed by the Charleston County RoadWise Program. After public input was received, the project design was approved by Charleston County Council on September 2, 2008. The improvements along Glenn McConnell Parkway from Essex Farm Road to Orleans Road include: The widening of Glenn McConnell Parkway to provide an additional lane in each direction for the full length of the project.
The widening of Magwood Drive at the Glenn McConnell Parkway intersection (Home Depot/McDonald’s side of the highway) to allow for dual left-turn lanes and a through or right-turn lane onto Glenn McConnell Parkway.
The widening of Magwood Drive at the Glenn McConnell Parkway intersection (hospital side of the highway) to provide for a left-turn only lane, a single through lane, and right-turn lane onto Glenn McConnell Parkway.
Adjusting the stoplight timing at the intersection of Magwood Drive and Glenn McConnell Parkway to allow left turns from both northbound and southbound lanes of Magwood Drive to occur at the same time.
Closing the median on Glenn McConnell Parkway at Frontage Road to prohibit left turns and U-turns for improved safety.
Lengthening the left-turn lanes on Glenn McConnell Parkway toward I-526 eastbound (toward North Charleston and Mount Pleasant) in order to allow more room for vehicles waiting to turn.
Construct a five-foot-wide concrete sidewalk along Magwood Drive to connect to the existing sidewalk. Pedestrian signals will be installed on both sides of Glenn McConnell Parkway to allow for pedestrians to cross the intersection.
Create earthen sound buffers that include landscaping, along the northbound lanes of the Glenn McConnell Parkway to provide a buffer for nearby neighborhoods.
Roadwork that requires lane closures will only occur at night to minimize effects on traffic. Road Work Begins Immediately The first phase of construction that will be noticeable to the public will be between Orleans Road and Essex Farm Road in the vicinity of Magwood Road and Henry Tecklenburg Drive. SC 461 (Glenn McConnell Parkway) Be aware that the existing travel lanes will be narrowed and shifted toward the median within the project limits.
Temporary daytime shoulder closures will occur to allow for work outside of the travel way as allowed by the S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT).
Temporary night time lane closures will be used to perform work between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. on weekdays and from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. on weekends.
Henry Tecklenburg Drive Temporary lane closures will occur to allow for road work at the entrances of the Roper St. Francis medical facilities.
At no time will the road be completely closed to traffic. Access to the medical facilities will remain open at all times.
Magwood Road All motorists traveling through the project area are asked to be aware of equipment and crews and to be prepared for delays beginning this week. Alternate routes are recommended if possible. The public is asked to take notice of traffic control signs, reduction in speed limit and message board information, and to note that all road work is dependent on the weather. Quotes About the Project’s Importance Teddie Pryor, Charleston County Council Chairman: “This is an important project because it affects so many people who travel through this area on a daily basis. The input we gathered from the public helped shape the design of the project. We are excited to begin because we know the changes will improve the traffic situation in this area and provide better access to the medical complex for patients, visitors and emergency vehicles.”
Sen. Glenn McConnell: “This parkway has become a lifeline for the West Ashley community. The improvements from the Transportation Sales Tax funds will keep it vibrant and useful for the foreseeable future making transportation easier for all of our residents.”
Joseph P. Riley, Jr., City of Charleston Mayor: “A significant component of the SC 61 Expressway corridor is the intersection of SC 61 Expressway and Magwood Road. Studies showed this intersection to be one of the most congested intersections in the West Ashley area. These improvements will greatly improve the capacity of these roadways and improve traffic safety for residents and businesses.”
Allen Carroll, CEO for Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital: “As a health care provider, we know the critical nature of this road improvement project. Once completed, it will relieve congestion and facilitate ease of access to and from our hospital campus. It will benefit our patients and their families along with our employees and physicians as well as people living and working in and around our West Ashley community.”
The public can get up-to-date project information, including construction status and traffic alerts, online at http://www.ccroadwise.org/gm_526_const.html. The Glenn McConnell Parkway/I-526 Improvement project was requested by the city of Charleston and approved by voters in the second Transportation Sales Tax bond referendum in 2006. Voters authorized the County to issue $77 million in bonds, which will be repaid through Transportation Sales Tax revenues. Charleston County RoadWise is the name of Charleston County Government’s management program for the construction of roads, highways, resurfacing, paving and drainage projects that are funded by the Transportation Sales Tax. Visit the official Web site at www.ccroadwise.org for public meeting notices and up-to-date news and information about all Charleston County Transportation Sales Tax road projects.
|
