About
Membership
Government Relations
Community Advancement
Join Now
The Advocates
The Advocates: 526 Update

Last night, at the Charleston County Council Finance Committee meeting, a special presentation was made by the South Carolina Secretary of Transportation, Christy Hall, regarding the status of the Mark Clark Completion Project. Secretary Hall made it clear that the purpose of the extension of 526 is to increase the capacity of the regional transportation system, improve safety and enhance mobility to and from the West Ashley, Johns Island and James Island areas of the Charleston metropolitan area.  A copy of her presentation is linked here.

Secretary Hall described the two proposed phases of the project. The first phase would extend 526 from its current terminus near Citadel Mall, south across the Stono River onto Johns Island, to a location called “Connector B”, where Phase II will turn eastward, cross the Stono River again and extend onto Johns Island and beyond. Attached is a link showing the recommended alternative.

The primary question discussed by the Finance Committee was whether to authorize the County’s portion ($75 Million) of the approximately $150 million needed for the remaining preparatory work necessary to continue to advance the project, the vast majority of which will be used for land acquisition costs. The balance of the funds for the preparatory work will come from the State Infrastructure Bank.  A robust conversation occurred among the County Council with strong opinions on both sides of the question expressed. Although the sense of this observer was that more council members are in favor of voting for the expenditure than not, no vote was on the agenda and the future of the 526 Completion project hangs in the balance.

What was abundantly clear, however, was the very strong recommendation by Secretary Hall that the Charleston County Council should vote to approve the $75 Million and approve a reasonable financial approach so that the project can complete the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) phase and make the project “shovel ready”. In the Secretary’s view, the project must be moved forward or additional costs will be incurred. The best way to preserve the project opportunity is to advance to “shovel ready” status. Then as funds become available, with the right-of-way acquired and the FEIS complete, the final design and construction process can begin. The link to the SCDOT website regarding what the department calls the Mark Clark Extension is here: https://www.scdotmarkclark.com/.

Please continue to email the County Council at public-comments@charlestoncounty.org and “bcc” dcurry@charlestonchamber.org showing your support. Sample language is linked here to assist you in drafting your personalized email.

Now is the time for the business community to stand up for the completion of 526. Please do your part and email the Charleston County Council.

As always, thank you!

Scott Barhight, Senior Vice President of Government Relations

Posted on
January 27th 2023
Written by
Madison Beard
Share