Charleston County News Release

Release Number: 3250

Release Date: March 23, 2011

Project Web site: http://www.ccroadwise.org/us17_sc61_wesley.html

Project area map: http://www.ccroadwise.org/file/images/1761wesleygraphic1110.jpg

Traffic Alert: Nighttime Lane Closures on Folly Road / Wesley Drive

Lane closures March 24 for U.S 17/S.C. 61/Wesley Drive Improvements Project in West Ashley

Charleston County Government announces a traffic alert as part of the U.S.17/S.C.61/Wesley Drive Improvements Project in West Ashley that will affect Folly Road and Wesley Drive as follows:

• Drivers should expect delays due to nighttime lane closures beginning at 9 p.m. on Thursday, March 24 until 6 a.m. on Friday, March 25.

• The inside lane of northbound Folly Road (heading away from Folly Beach) will be restricted to only allow left turns onto Windermere Boulevard. 

• The inside lanes of Wesley Drive, both northbound and southbound, will be closed between Windermere Boulevard and Savannah Highway (U.S. 17). 

• At no time will traffic in either direction on Wesley Drive be completely closed off.

• The closure is necessary to remove the existing concrete median on Wesley Drive.

• Drivers traveling through the project area are asked to be aware of equipment and crews working in the area. Alternative routes are recommended if possible.

• The public is also asked to notice traffic control signs, reductions in speed limit and message board information, and to note that all work is dependent on weather.

Get up-to-date project information, including construction status and traffic alerts, online at http://www.ccroadwise.org/us17_sc61_wesley.html.

BACKGROUND ON THE PROJECT:

• Construction on the project began in January 2011. The goal of the project is to improve traffic flow, drainage, and pedestrian and bicyclist mobility.

• The project, which is expected to be completed in May of 2011, is funded by the Charleston County Transportation Sales Tax and managed by Charleston County Government’s RoadWise Program, in close coordination with the City of Charleston and the S.C. Department of Transportation.

• The U.S. 17/S.C. 61/Wesley Drive Improvements Project includes improvements to Folly Road from south of Windermere Boulevard (Wappoo Bridge side) starting at Yeamans Road and continuing up Wesley Drive to St. Andrews Boulevard (S.C. 61). The project also includes improvements to Folly Road Boulevard from Windermere Boulevard up to Albemarle Road. 

• Every effort is being made to schedule necessary lane closures for the project during off- peak, nighttime and weekend hours when possible to minimize effects on traffic.

• Some lane closures may be scheduled during the day on selected weekends.

• Advance notice of all lane closures will be provided to the media.

• The U.S.17/S.C.61/Wesley Drive project was requested by the City of Charleston and approved by voters in the first bond referendum. The voters of Charleston County authorized the County to issue $77 million in bonds, which will be repaid through Transportation Sales Tax revenues. The entire amount of the first bond referendum is allocated for the following transportation improvement projects:

  • Folly Road and Maybank Highway Intersection Improvements

  • Glenn McConnell Parkway / Bees Ferry Road Intersection (West Ashley Circle)

  • Harbor View Road Improvements

  • U.S. 17/S.C. 61/Wesley Drive Improvements

  • Palmetto Commerce Parkway

  • US 17 / Johnnie Dodds Boulevard Improvements

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.