News
Charleston County Council on Tuesday approved the use of $5 million from local transportation sales tax revenue for upgrades to seven intersections around the Charleston International Airport and the Boeing Co.’s expanding campus.
Councilman Elliott Summey, who chairs the council’s Economic Development Committee, said that with the $5 million in place, work on those intersections will start this summer.
“Boeing needs this fast, so we’re going to move fast,” Summey said.
Consultants have said intersection improvements, such as added turn lanes, are needed to help accommodate forthcoming traffic in the already-busy area. Traffic is expected to increase when Boeing’s 787 final assembly facility comes online next year.
“Three of these intersections directly affect Boeing’s driveway,” Summey said.
To pay for the work, the county will likely take $1 million a year over several years from a portion of the county’s half-cent sales tax revenue that is set aside annually for paving and intersection work on existing roads, Summey said.
That fund usually totals $5 million to $8 million annually, he said. County officials decide each year which projects will receive the money.
The county could borrow the $5 million and pay it back over five years so that one year’s allocation doesn’t take a significant hit, Summey said.
Improvements are planned at the following intersections:
•
• Ashley Phosphate and Cross County roads.
• Dorchester Road and West Hill Boulevard.
• Dorchester Road and Michaux Parkway.
• Michaux Parkway and International Boulevard.
• International Boulevard and Interstate 536 westbound.
• South Aviation Avenue and Remount Road.
• South Aviation Avenue and West Aviation Avenue.
The full scope of needed road improvements near the airport will cost $155 million, according to recommendations by engineering consultants Davis & Floyd and Stantec Engineering.
But county officials haven’t yet found the remaining $150 million.
Summey said the county will submit an application to the State Transportation Infrastructure Bank, even though the bank lacks funding for new projects and already has several other applications before it.
He said applying is a way to ensure that if the bank does receive additional state funding, the road projects around the airport and Boeing campus will be in the pipeline.
“This is just a proactive approach to it,” he said. “We want to be at the front of the table, not at the back of the bus.”
The county is seeking $155 million from the State Transportation Infrastructure Bank so that it could reimburse the local sales tax money used for short-term improvements.
Summey said officials also are working with the area’s congressional delegation to find any available federal dollars, including federal stimulus act money.
Councilman Elliott Summey, who chairs the council’s Economic Development Committee, said that with the $5 million in place, work on those intersections will start this summer.
“Boeing needs this fast, so we’re going to move fast,” Summey said.
Consultants have said intersection improvements, such as added turn lanes, are needed to help accommodate forthcoming traffic in the already-busy area. Traffic is expected to increase when Boeing’s 787 final assembly facility comes online next year.
“Three of these intersections directly affect Boeing’s driveway,” Summey said.
To pay for the work, the county will likely take $1 million a year over several years from a portion of the county’s half-cent sales tax revenue that is set aside annually for paving and intersection work on existing roads, Summey said.
That fund usually totals $5 million to $8 million annually, he said. County officials decide each year which projects will receive the money.
The county could borrow the $5 million and pay it back over five years so that one year’s allocation doesn’t take a significant hit, Summey said.
Improvements are planned at the following intersections:
•
• Ashley Phosphate and Cross County roads.
• Dorchester Road and West Hill Boulevard.
• Dorchester Road and Michaux Parkway.
• Michaux Parkway and International Boulevard.
• International Boulevard and Interstate 536 westbound.
• South Aviation Avenue and Remount Road.
• South Aviation Avenue and West Aviation Avenue.
The full scope of needed road improvements near the airport will cost $155 million, according to recommendations by engineering consultants Davis & Floyd and Stantec Engineering.
But county officials haven’t yet found the remaining $150 million.
Summey said the county will submit an application to the State Transportation Infrastructure Bank, even though the bank lacks funding for new projects and already has several other applications before it.
He said applying is a way to ensure that if the bank does receive additional state funding, the road projects around the airport and Boeing campus will be in the pipeline.
“This is just a proactive approach to it,” he said. “We want to be at the front of the table, not at the back of the bus.”
The county is seeking $155 million from the State Transportation Infrastructure Bank so that it could reimburse the local sales tax money used for short-term improvements.
Summey said officials also are working with the area’s congressional delegation to find any available federal dollars, including federal stimulus act money.
