Roadway Improvements

The purpose of the project is to relieve traffic congestion and improve operations at the I-26/I-526 interchange and along I-526.

The interstate improvements are anticipated to be constructed from 2029-2039.

SCDOT will work with partners to ensure the community commitments are underway and facilities and housing are constructed before the highway construction begins. Some items, such as the noise barriers, railroad crossing upgrades, and pedestrian bridge will require additional coordination and will be constructed along with the highway improvements. View the schedule.

These interstate improvements were identified because of the lower number of relocations, fewer potential impacts to traditionally underrepresented populations, lower impacts to wetlands and streams. At the same time, they will improve the flow of cars and trucks along I-526, including to and from I-26.

What improvements are planned?

More lanes on I-526.To improve flow and reduce traffic jams, I-526 will be widened to include two additional lanes in each direction between Paul Cantrell Boulevard and North Rhett Avenue.

1

I-26 at I-526

No more weaving at the I-526/I-26 Interchange. To eliminate weaving and improve the flow of vehicles through the I-526/I-26 interchange, tight, closely spaced, low-speed ramps will be replaced by long, sweeping, high-speed ramps.

2

Introduction of Collector-Distributor Roads. The improvements feature collector-distributor roads at all four legs of the I-526 and I-26 interchange. Collector-distributor roads are lanes used to collect the most significant traffic movements and distribute them efficiently through high-traffic areas to their destinations. These new, longer, separated ramps will add capacity to the system. They allow the major traffic movements to be separated as they move throughout the system by guiding exiting vehicles to their destinations sooner. This will also prevent conflicts between entering and exiting traffic.

3

Improvements to the I-526 interchanges at both ends of the project. At the east end of the project, the interchanges with North Rhett Avenue and Virginia Avenue will be improved to add access to the new collector-distributor roads to eliminate weaving between Virginia Avenue and North Rhett Avenue and to replace the low-speed loop ramps with higher speed on- and off-ramps. This weaving and tight ramps cause significant backups today.

At the west end of the project, an entrance ramp from Paul Cantrell Boulevard will be improved to eliminate the need to merge when heading toward North Charleston. The exit ramp would be improved for those commuters heading north on Glenn McConnel Parkway, by bridging over the Magwood Drive intersection.

4

Virginia & North Rhett Avenues

Paul Cantrell Boulevard

View detailed maps of the improvements below. These PDF files are very large and may take a long time to load.

  • Virginia Avenue to Rivers Avenue in North Charleston ENG | ESP

  • Rivers Avenue to International Boulevard, including I-526/I-26 Interchange ENG | ESP

  • International Boulevard to Mile Marker 20 in North Charleston ENG | ESP

  • Mile Marker 20 in North Charleston to Paul Cantrell Boulevard in West Ashley ENG | ESP

Traffic Noise Reduction

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We know that noise from widening a highway is always a top concern for residents. A majority of those who will be impacted agreed that the noise walls identified by SCDOT as both reasonable and feasible should be built.

Additionally, SCDOT committed to building noise barriers as part of the Environmental Justice Community Mitigation Plan. These noise barriers are planned along the bridges next to Liberty Park and Russelldale. SCDOT will also require the selected contractor to submit a design for the I-526 bridges that reduces the anticipated noise levels within the Liberty Park, Russelldale, and Ferndale communities. Learn more here.

For greater detail, view all noise barriers in the interactive map below.