News Summary
Mayor William Cogswell of Charleston has introduced a new plan to alleviate traffic congestion on Maybank Highway, following the indefinite suspension of the I-526 extension project. The innovative proposal focuses on reducing lane widths and speed limits to improve traffic flow while preserving local trees. Residents expressed relief over the suspension of the costly I-526 project and are hopeful for a quicker resolution through the city-county collaboration. The plan aims to regain public trust while addressing urgent traffic concerns amid rising temperatures and community demand for action.
Charleston – A proposed solution to alleviate traffic congestion on Maybank Highway comes as the state has indefinitely halted the controversial I-526 extension project, which was intended to ease traffic woes on Johns Island. Charleston Mayor William Cogswell has outlined an innovative plan focusing on a critical half-mile stretch of highway, hoping to provide immediate relief to frustrated residents.
The traffic bottleneck on Maybank Highway, particularly between River Road and the Stono River bridge, results in a single lane merge, which exacerbates congestion. With high temperatures expected to reach 91°F on June 7, 2025, many residents are anticipating another day filled with delays as they navigate this congested route.
Six months ago, Charleston County voters rejected the costly I-526 extension project, leading to its indefinite suspension, as confirmed by S.C. Transportation Secretary Justin Powell. Following this decision, residents have expressed relief and urged local authorities to redirect focus on smaller, community-oriented solutions like the one proposed by Mayor Cogswell.
Mayor Cogswell’s plan involves the state transferring maintenance responsibilities of Maybank Highway to the city, which would permit the installation of an additional, narrower lane while protecting local trees. Current design guidelines complicate any efforts to widen the roadway, as doing so would necessitate the removal of numerous established trees along the eastbound stretch.
As part of his proposal, Mayor Cogswell suggests reducing the width of existing travel lanes from 14 feet to 11 feet. This would be coupled with a reduction in speed limits by at least 10 mph, aiming to facilitate improved traffic flow without requiring extensive restructuring. This method is viewed as a simple yet effective strategy that could circumvent strict Department of Transportation guidelines.
The City Council has been urged to engage in talks with Charleston County to expedite negotiations regarding these proposed changes. Additional discussions are needed concerning funding, as the County reportedly has budgetary resources available from the abandoned I-526 project that could potentially be redirected toward improvements on Maybank Highway.
Aside from Cogswell’s plan, there are discussions around a related southern pitchfork project, designed to create another traffic route from the southern section of Johns Island towards the bridge. Such initiatives are part of a broader movement toward enhancing local transportation infrastructure.
A local newsletter has praised Mayor Cogswell’s creative approach but highlighted the necessity of addressing further improvements at the intersection of Maybank and River, which is a crucial point for traffic ingress and egress in the area.
Concerns linger regarding Charleston County’s public trust, particularly following a series of controversial decisions related to road projects. Timely and effective implementations of plans, such as Cogswell’s proposal, are seen as pivotal in restoring public confidence in local government decisions surrounding transportation. Additionally, these improvements are connected to a potential sales tax referendum scheduled for 2026, aimed at supporting regional infrastructure if adequately managed.
With mounting traffic concerns and a strong community demand for urgent action, Mayor Cogswell’s initiative offers a ray of hope for residents seeking relief from congestion on Maybank Highway. The next steps now hinge on the City and County’s ability to collaborate, implement changes, and ultimately regain the trust of the public regarding transportation projects in the Charleston area.
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Additional Resources
- Live 5 News: Driver evading North Charleston police dies in crash
- Wikipedia: Traffic Congestion
- WYFF4: Live traffic cameras in South Carolina, North Carolina
- Google Search: Traffic issues Charleston
- WRDW: Law enforcement urges compliance with regularly broken SC traffic law
- Google Scholar: Traffic Management
- Count on 2: Roads remain closed or impassable Friday due to icy conditions
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Accidents
- ABC News 4: Charleston begins road closures for phase IV of Low Battery seawall repair project
- Google News: Charleston Transportation
