From Rivers Avenue and Ashley Phosphate Road to the neighborhoods surrounding Park Circle, North Charleston is home to some of the region’s busiest roads and most important connections to major employers.
Keeping those connections working as the region grows involves a range of improvements, including intersections, roadway capacity, public transit and neighborhood infrastructure.
Several projects addressing those needs are included in the school and transportation plans Charleston County voters will consider on November 3. Early voting begins Monday, October 19 and continues through Saturday, October 31.
Three measures on the ballot involve continuing the existing school and transportation sales taxes and authorizing a separate transportation bond to help approved projects move forward sooner.
The Charleston Metro Chamber supports all three measures through YES for CHS. Our overview of the ballot questions explains what each would do.
North Charleston has one of the longer lists of proposed transportation improvements, along with several investments in local schools.
Investments in Local Schools
The Charleston County School District’s proposed 2029–2034 capital program includes:
- Deer Park Middle School: The next phase of the school’s rebuilding project.
- Pepperhill Elementary: New classrooms and a multipurpose room.
- A.C. Corcoran Elementary: A new multipurpose room.
- Hunley Park Elementary: Additional early education classrooms.
These projects address several aspects of school facilities, from classroom capacity and early education to spaces that support student programs and activities.
Improvements to Roads and Connections
The proposed Charleston County Transportation Sales Tax Program includes projects throughout North Charleston.
- Rivers Avenue at Durant Avenue: A new overpass above the railroad crossing.
- Ashley Phosphate Road at Cross County Road: Intersection safety improvements.
- Rivers Avenue: Lowcountry Rapid Transit investments, including sidewalk and bicycle connections.
- Cosgrove Avenue: Better North Bridge improvements connecting pedestrians and cyclists to West Ashley.
- Mall Drive: Widening from Lacrosse Road to Rivers Avenue.
- Patriot Boulevard: Widening between Weber Road and Palmetto Commerce Parkway.
- Stall Road: Intersection improvements.
- Ladson Road at Palmetto Commerce Parkway: Intersection reconstruction.
- Reynolds Avenue in Park Circle: Drainage and streetscape improvements.
- Interstate 26 near Northwoods Estates: A noise wall near the Palmetto Commerce interchange.
- U.S. 78 at Limehouse Lane: Additional turn lanes.
The projects range from major roadway improvements to changes within individual neighborhoods.
A new overpass at Rivers Avenue and Durant Avenue would address a railroad crossing along a major corridor. Meanwhile, the Reynolds Avenue project focuses on drainage and streetscape improvements in Park Circle.
Other proposals would expand transportation options, including pedestrian and bicycle connections to Lowcountry Rapid Transit.
Looking Ahead
The proposed school and transportation sales tax extensions would provide funding for another period of investments across Charleston County. The separate transportation bond would allow the county to borrow against future tax collections to advance approved work.
The existing programs have funded infrastructure for years, and residents can review their financial reports and project information through the county and school district.
If the proposed extensions do not pass, the new funding programs would not proceed as planned. North Charleston’s identified infrastructure needs would remain, while decisions about how and when to address them would require further consideration.
Residents can take a closer look at the proposals, explore the financial records and review the three ballot questions before heading to the polls.
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
