For James Island and Folly Beach residents, Folly Road is a familiar part of daily life. It’s a route to work, school, local businesses and the beach, with traffic that can look very different depending on the time of day or season.
Maybank Highway is another important connection, carrying people between James Island, Johns Island and other parts of the region.
With relatively few alternative routes, improvements to these roads are an important part of the area’s transportation planning.
On November 3, Charleston County voters will consider three measures related to future investments in transportation and schools. Early voting begins Monday, October 19 and runs through Saturday, October 31.
The measures address the continuation of two existing sales taxes and a separate transportation bond that would allow approved projects to move forward sooner.
The Charleston Metro Chamber supports all three measures through the YES for CHS campaign. We’ve also shared an explanation of the ballot questions and how they work together.
Here’s what’s proposed for James Island and Folly Beach.
Investments in Local Schools
The Charleston County School District’s proposed 2029–2034 capital program includes two projects on James Island:
- Camp Road Middle School: Expansion of the school’s vehicle circulation loop.
- James Island Elementary: Renovations to the existing school.
The expanded vehicle loop at Camp Road Middle School would address how cars move through the campus during arrival and dismissal. At James Island Elementary, the proposed renovations would focus on improving the existing facility.
While different in scope, both projects address infrastructure that students, families and school staff rely on throughout the school year.
Improvements to Roads and Connections
The proposed transportation program includes three projects serving James Island and Folly Beach.
- Maybank Highway at Riverland Drive: Intersection reconstruction, identified for the first 10 years of the proposed program.
- Folly Road, from Wappoo Cut to Folly Beach: Improvements involving pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, bicycle facilities and vehicle traffic.
- Folly Road: CARTA transit service investments intended to provide additional transportation options along the corridor.
Folly Road serves many different users, including residents, commuters, business customers and beach visitors. The proposed improvements address several ways people travel along the corridor rather than focusing exclusively on vehicles.
The Maybank Highway and Riverland Drive project would address another important intersection connecting communities across the islands.
Looking Ahead
Charleston County’s school and transportation sales taxes have funded improvements for decades. The proposed extensions would continue those funding programs, while the transportation bond would allow certain approved projects to advance using future tax revenue.
If the extensions are not approved, the proposed school and transportation programs would not receive funding through those new tax periods. Decisions about alternative funding and project schedules would remain unresolved.
For James Island and Folly Beach, the proposed projects focus on familiar roads and schools. Residents can explore the plans, examine previous spending and learn more about the three measures before making their decisions.
Explore the Plans and Resources
- Understanding the Three Ballot Measures
- CCSD’s Proposed 2029–2034 School Projects
- Charleston County Transportation Project Plans
- YES for CHS Campaign and Resources
- Early Voting Information
Explore What’s Proposed in Other Communities
