PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING

View materials and provide your input from July 26 - September 1, 2022!

Public Meeting Overview

A public information meeting was held for the I-526 @ Long Point Road Interchange Improvements project on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 from 5 - 7 pm at the R.L. Jones Center (391 Egypt Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC).

The purpose of this public information meeting was to:

Explain how YOUR input in the I-526 LCC EAST study was used to accelerate this project
Ask for your input on the purpose and need and the range of alternatives
Outline the next steps in the project development process
Gather information on historic or cultural resources and any potential impacts

All materials that were presented at the in-person meeting are available on this website beginning July 26.

Handout

Comment

Survey

Español

Project Background

In July 2022, SCDOT completed a Planning & Environmental Linkages (PEL) study for I-526 LCC EAST, from Virginia Avenue in North Charleston to approximately US 17 in Mount Pleasant. The PEL study identified existing and projected transportation issues within the corridor through analysis and public and stakeholder engagement. SCDOT and the Federal Highway Administration are developing an environmental document for the
I-526 @ Long Point Road Interchange Improvements project and will leverage the PEL study for accelerated project delivery. The purpose of the proposed project is to improve the operations of the I-526/Long Point Road interchange and I-526 mainline and reduce operational conflicts between port-related and local traffic. The need for the project is demonstrated by the growing traffic on I-526 and Long Point Road, the existing interchange deficiencies, and the multiple concerns communicated by the public during the I-526 LCC EAST PEL study. Click the images below to enlarge and learn more.

Graphic showing the project schedule. As of summer 2022, the I-526 @ Long Point Road Interchange Improvements project is in the NEPA process. Construction is projected to begin in 2024. — **What happens now that the I-526 Lowcountry Corridor EAST Planning & Environmental Linkages Study is complete?**

Graphic showing the study area. The purpose of the project is to improve operations of the interchange and reduce conflicts between port and local traffic. The need is shown by interchange deficiencies, traffic, population growth, and public comments — **What is the purpose and need of this project?**

Growing Traffic Congestion Concerns

Traffic is expected to increase and result in an extreme level of congestion (think bumper-to-bumper traffic) throughout much of the interchange by 2050, if no improvements are made. The data confirms concerns about growing congestion at the interchange. Why? The average daily number of vehicles driving through the interchange is expected to grow by 66% by 2050. While all types of vehicles are expected to increase, the number of trucks on I-526 bound for the interchange will likely grow at a faster rate - increasing the percentage of vehicles using the corridor that are trucks. 13,000 more truck trips per day are anticipated on I-526 west of the Long Point Road interchange by 2050. The existing interchange is not designed to handle this volume of vehicles, especially with this mix of heavy-duty trucks. Click the images below to enlarge and learn more.

Graphics showing 2022 and 2050 "no build" traffic conditions. Though the interchange has mostly low to moderate congestion today, it is predicted to have mostly very high to extreme condition in 2050 if nothing changes. — **What may traffic be like if no improvements are made?**

**How many more vehicles are anticipated in 2050 in general and how many of those would likely be trucks?**
*Board was updated on 7/29/2022 to add clarity to content*

Potential Improvements to Address Project Need

At the 2021 public information meeting for the I-526 LCC EAST project, SCDOT showed four potential concepts to improve the operations of the I-526/Long Point Road interchange. Based on your input on those very high-level concepts, the project team has also conducted additional analysis to identify options, known as the range of alternatives. These alternatives, shown below, will each be evaluated against the same set of criteria through a multi-step process. With each step, the analysis will become more detailed. At the same time, those that are the lowest performing will be eliminated. Ultimately, this process will help SCDOT arrive at what is known as the “Recommended Preferred Alternative.” The Recommended Preferred Alternative will be brought back to you for your feedback at the public hearing which is currently anticipated for late this year (2022) or early next year (2023). Click the images below to enlarge and learn more.

Graphic showing how the range of alternatives is established (through traffic analysis and the project's purpose and need), and then how they are narrowed to reasonable alternatives (through further traffic, engineering, and environmental analysis). — **How are the alternatives evaluated?**

Graphic showing alternatives 1 (improved existing ramps), 2 (new port access ramps with improved existing ramps), and 3 (diverging diamond interchange). — **What are the alternatives being considered? (Alternatives 1-3)**

Graphic showing alternatives 4 (single point urban interchange), 5 (flyover), and 6 (new port access ramps with diverging diamond interchange). — **What are the alternatives being considered? (Alternatives 4-6)**

Alternative 1A: Improved Existing Ramps

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Alternative 2: New Port Access Ramps with Improved Existing Ramps

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Alternative 3: Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI)

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Alternative 6: New Port Access Ramps with Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI)

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What is a Diverging Diamond Interchange?

Understanding Traffic Noise Impacts

The SCDOT Traffic Noise Abatement Policy addresses the impact of highway traffic noise on residential neighborhoods and in other noise-sensitive areas, such as churches, schools, hospitals, and certain public recreational areas. This policy is based on FHWA regulations, 23 CFR §772. SCDOT is conducting a detailed noise analysis for this project to understand existing and anticipated future noise levels. Currently, SCDOT is taking baseline noise measurements to understand the traffic noise levels today. Since the proposed alternatives will continue to be refined, the noise analysis will be shared at the public hearing when the recommended preferred alternative is presented for your input. This way, the analysis can be as accurate as possible. The public hearing is anticipated for late 2022/early 2023. Click the images below to enlarge and learn more.

Graphic showing the federally regulated noise evaluation process. SCDOT monitors existing noise, models expected noise change, identifies noise impacts, and considers noise reductions measures. — **How is noise evaluated?**

Graphic showing SCDOT vegetative maintenance policies. SCDOT clears vegetation along roadways for safety and drainage. — **Why does SCDOT perform vegetative management?**

Right-of-Way Process

The official right-of-way (ROW) acquisition process does not typically start until the federal environmental review process (NEPA) is completed, and the Federal Highway Administration issues a decision. If a build alternative is selected, meaning something new would need to be constructed, SCDOT would develop final ROW plans and acquisition activities would begin. Learn More.

Graphic showing how SCDOT acquires right-of-way it needs for projects. Initial contact with property owners is made after design. Then land is appraised, an acquisition agent makes an offer, displacees receive relocation benefits, and the deal closes — **When will I hear about right-of-way?**

Learn More about the SCDOT Right-of-Way process

Next Steps and How to Comment

Graphic showing the project schedule. In summer 2022, alternatives are being analyzed ahead of the first public meeting. Right of way is expected to bein in early 2024 and construction in summer 2024.

The official public comment period for this public meeting ended on September 1, 2022. After this public information meeting, the project team will evaluate all comments and refine these alternatives. The recommended preferred alternative will be presented at the public hearing in early 2023.

Meaningful input is our number one priority. Below are the ways to make your voice heard in the official project records. All formal comments received during the comment period will be evaluated and included in the project record. All information provided will be published and subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.

Survey

The survey for this project is now closed.