Charleston County Council pushes for new infrastructure on Rivers Avenue

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)–Changes could soon be coming to a busy road in the Lowcountry.  Charleston County Council is considering a project on Rivers Avenue that would improve traffic safety for drivers, bikers, and pedestrians.

On Tuesday, Charleston County Council held the first reading on the Rivers Avenue Mobility Improvement Plan, which would make a portion of the roadway more bike and pedestrian-friendly.

“This project is part of the third transportation sales tax, which would provide those connections with communities planned. The Lowcountry transit starts with bicycle and pedestrian accommodations,” said Alex Owsiak, capitol programs manager for Charleston County Public Works.

The estimated cost for the project is $142 million dollars which would go towards building sidewalks and multi-use paths near CARTA stations on Rivers Avenue from Medical Plaza Drive to Hackerman Avenue.  

Leaders said they asked for community feedback, and the plan received about 79% support, with a substantial majority of the thousands of people who travel Rivers Avenue every day believing it would benefit from the safety improvements. 

“I feel it is a pretty well-supported project, as we said in the comments. This is much needed. It’s very important, and you know, if they don’t have any other option to get access to the stations rather than walking or biking, so this would certainly benefit the surrounding communities,” said Owaiak.

Leaders told News 2 that they plan to let voters decide whether to move forward with the project by putting it on the ballot this November.