Interstate 526: Alternative G

Alternative G
Read more about all the options that were considered by Charleston County Council.

Alternative G is a new hybrid alternative that was added to the range of reasonable alternatives in response to public comments made at the series of public meetings held in April and May 2009. Public comments showed support for the parkway design and the inclusion of bicycle and pedestrian facilities; but comments also expressed concerns about the potential impacts along Central Park Road associated with Alternative 36. In response to these comments, the study team looked at the possibility of alternate routes for a parkway on James Island. The study team merged the alignment of Alternative D (formerly Alternative 11) and the parkway design of Alternative F (formerly Alternative 36) into a hybrid alternative, Alternative G.

Alternative G extends from U.S. 17 across the Stono River to Johns Island as a four-lane parkway facility with low speeds (i.e. 35 to 45 mph). This alternative provides two connector roads onto Johns Island. These connector roads would tie into River Road north of Maybank Highway and River Road south of Maybank Highway. On James Island, the parkway would pass through the northern edge of the James Island County Park. After passing Riverland Drive, Alternative G continues northeast, south of the Regatta Apartments, Carmike James Island Cinema and the U.S. Post Office, tying into the existing James Island Connector/Folly Road interchange. Alternative G provides access to Central Park Road via Riley Road and Up on the Hill Road. This alternative provides a multi-use path to accommodate bicycle and pedestrians.

Within the James Island County Park, a minor shift in the alignment moved the parkway closer to the northern boundary of the park to minimize disruptions to park facilities. Alternative G would provide connections to existing streets on James Island and would include a multi-use path along one side for its entire length to accommodate bikes and pedestrians.