July 2, 2025

Charleston County Voters Reject Transportation Tax Referendum

News Summary

Voters in Charleston County have decisively rejected a half-cent transportation sales tax referendum, with 61% voting against it. The referendum aimed to raise $5.4 billion for road projects, including the Mark Clark Extension. Following its failure, officials discuss alternative infrastructure solutions. Local leaders stress the ongoing need for road improvements amid persistent traffic congestion in the area.

Charleston, South Carolina – Voters in Charleston County have overwhelmingly rejected a proposed half-cent transportation sales tax referendum, with 61% of participants voting against the measure during the recent election. This decision has effectively abandoned plans to fund the Mark Clark Extension project, which sought to extend Interstate 526 to Johns and James Islands.

The referendum was designed to continue a half-percent sales tax, initially approved in 2004, for an additional 25 years to finance various road improvement initiatives throughout the county. If passed, the measure would have raised an estimated $5.4 billion over its duration, with the Mark Clark Extension project alone projected to cost around $1.8 billion. The proposed tax plan included a total of 12 road projects, sharing approximately $811 million, as well as $432 million earmarked for greenbelt projects aimed at preserving environmental spaces.

In light of the referendum’s failure, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has responded by refunding the $3.1 million Charleston County had previously invested in the Mark Clark Extension project. This decision has spurred local leaders, such as Council Vice Chair Larry Kobrovsky and Councilman Joe Boykin, to discuss alternative methods for addressing the pressing infrastructure needs in the county.

Local officials have voiced concerns about traffic congestion in certain areas, particularly in West Ashley and Johns Island, which have been significantly affected by road deficiencies. Kobrovsky has suggested reallocating the refunded funds towards infrastructure improvements in West Ashley, while Boykin has prioritized securing funding for an additional lane on Maybank Highway, a collaborative initiative with the city of Charleston that is currently in its design phase and expected to cost around $7.5 million.

The Mark Clark Extension project was intended to provide an essential access route to and from Johns Island, linking from U.S. Highway 17 in West Ashley to the James Island connector at Folly Road. However, with the recent outcomes, the S.C. Transportation Infrastructure Bank Board has officially terminated the intergovernmental agreement supporting the project, marking its cancellation.

Despite the referendum’s defeat, the necessity for road improvements remains a significant issue among residents. Even individuals living in precincts on Johns Island and James Island did not support the referendum, highlighting a shared skepticism about the funding approach proposed in the referendum. Future Charleston County Council meetings are expected to focus on evaluating community perspectives and restructuring a new referendum that aligns with the public’s priorities.

It’s worth noting that this referendum aimed to replace the original transportation sales tax established in 2004, which will expire in 2031. Many transportation projects funded through the previously approved 2016 half-cent sales tax have yet to be completed, with only one out of 17 projects fully finished. As local leaders contemplate strategies to address ongoing transportation issues, it is clear that residents are vocal about wanting sustainable and effective solutions that take into account both infrastructure development and environmental preservation.

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Author: STAFF HERE CHARLESTON

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