Charleston, South Carolina, August 23, 2025
News Summary
The Charleston County Council is set to award an $11.7 million contract to Banks Construction Company for significant safety improvements on Fort Johnson Road. Key projects include a new signalized intersection at Fort Johnson and Secessionville Road and an urban roundabout at Fort Johnson and Camp Road. This initiative comes in response to alarming accident statistics, highlighting the need for enhanced safety measures in the area. Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2025, demonstrating the council’s commitment to reducing traffic accidents and fatalities.
Charleston, South Carolina – The Charleston County Council is poised to award an $11.7 million contract aimed at enhancing road safety along Fort Johnson Road. The contract will go to Banks Construction Company, with the goal of implementing two crucial safety projects designed to reduce the frequency of traffic accidents in the region.
The projects entail constructing a signalized intersection with crosswalks at the junction of Fort Johnson Road and Secessionville Road. In addition, an urban compact roundabout with improved lighting is set to be built at the intersection of Fort Johnson Road and Camp Road. These changes are part of a broader initiative to enhance safety in an area that has seen a troubling number of collisions.
Over the past decade, there have been 356 collisions reported along Fort Johnson Road, resulting in five fatalities and 147 injuries. Specifically, the intersection of Fort Johnson and Secessionville has witnessed 32 accidents since 2015, while 16 accidents have occurred at Fort Johnson and Camp Road during the same period. These alarming statistics underline the necessity for the planned upgrades.
Devri DeToma, the county’s deputy director of public works, has emphasized that the focus of these projects is on enhancing safety for all road users. The improvements will require utility relocations by local services, including the Charleston Water System and the James Island Public Service District. The design of the roundabout at Fort Johnson and Camp Road carefully considers the preservation of local ecology, as only two grand oak trees will be removed during construction.
The new roundabout will be designed to accommodate larger vehicles, including trucks and boats, which will be able to drive over the concrete median. As part of the project at Fort Johnson and Camp Road, existing stone posts will be relocated to adjacent properties, minimizing the visual impact of the roundabout.
The contractor will decide the sequence in which the two projects will be completed, with the possibility that they will be executed consecutively. Construction is currently estimated to commence in the fourth quarter of 2025, with an expected timeline for completion set at one and a half years.
Final approval for the contract is on the agenda for the County Council’s meeting on August 26, 2025, and moving forward is anticipated to reflect the community’s urgent need for safer road conditions.
This decision has struck a personal chord with Councilwoman Jenny Costa Honeycutt, whose son was involved in an accident at the Camp Road intersection in 2023. This highlights the real-life implications of traffic safety initiatives and their importance to residents of the area.
Key Features of the Fort Johnson Road Safety Improvements
- Contract Value: $11.7 million
- Contractor: Banks Construction Company
- Projects Include:
- Signalized intersection at Fort Johnson and Secessionville.
- Urban roundabout at Fort Johnson and Camp Road.
- Accident Statistics (Last 10 Years):
- 356 collisions.
- 5 fatalities.
- 147 injuries.
- 32 accidents at Fort Johnson and Secessionville since 2015.
- 16 accidents at Fort Johnson and Camp Road in the last decade.
- Construction Start Date: Q4 2025
- Estimated Completion Time: 1.5 years
FAQ
What is the budget for the road safety improvements on Fort Johnson Road?
The budget for the road safety improvements is $11.7 million.
When is the construction for the road safety projects expected to begin?
Construction is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2025.
What types of safety enhancements are being added at the intersections?
The enhancements include a signalized intersection at Fort Johnson and Secessionville, and an urban compact roundabout at Fort Johnson and Camp Road.
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