Driver says downtown roadway needs immediate attention

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Help is on the way for a busy downtown Charleston roadway.

News 2 viewer Ezra Geasling said potholes, bumps, and metal plates make a half-mile stretch of Calhoun Street – just west of Rutledge Avenue – one of the worst spots to drive downtown and needs attention.

Geasling lives in West Ashley and does a lot of driving all across the Lowcountry on I-26, but he would like to see resurfacing made a priority on this road – or at least some patching.

“From the Walgreens on Rutledge all the way to the children’s hospital, it’s just bumps galore. It’s kind of a nightmare to drive on. Holding on for dear life, my tires get all bumped up… it’s not really a fun drive,” he said.

We brought his concerns to the City of Charleston and an official there tells us a Charleston County project in the works will include the resurfacing of this section of Calhoun Street.

“There is a Charleston County project, ‘Calhoun St. at James Island Connector Improvements’ that will widen Calhoun St. from the JI Connector to Gadsden St., which will include resurfacing of this section of Calhoun St. According to the County website, Dominion and CWS are currently relocating utilities and ROW acquisition is underway,” said Deja McMillan, Director of Communications for the City of Charleston.

Leaders say these are the latest plans for improvement after some pavement work was done by Charleston County in November of 2021, and part of the westbound side was resurfaced last year.

News 2 also reached out to the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) but we have not yet received a response.

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