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Charleston County News Release - Release Date: January 24, 2011

Project Web site: http://www.ccroadwise.org/us17_sc61_wesley.html

Project design: http://www.ccroadwise.org/file/images/1761wesleygraphic1110.jpg


Construction Begins on U.S 17/S.C. 61/Wesley Drive Improvements Project
Charleston County will oversee major bond project funded by the Transportation Sales Tax

Construction is beginning on the U.S.17/S.C.61/Wesley Drive Improvements Project in West Ashley. The goal of the project is to improve traffic flow, drainage, and pedestrian and bicyclist mobility.

The project, which is expected to be completed by summer of 2011, is funded by the Charleston County Transportation Sales Tax and managed by Charleston County Government’s RoadWise Program

The U.S. 17 / S.C. 61 / Wesley Drive Improvements Project includes improvements to Folly Road from south of Windermere Boulevard (Wappoo Bridge side) starting at Yeamans Road and continuing up Wesley Drive to St. Andrews Boulevard (S.C. 61). The project also includes improvements to Folly Road Boulevard from Windermere Boulevard up to Albemarle Road.

Improvements of the project will include:

· Heading north on Folly Road from the Wappoo Bridge toward downtown Charleston:

Drivers in the far left lane will only be allowed to turn left onto Windermere Boulevard.
Drivers in the next lane will only be allowed to bear left onto Wesley Drive.
Drivers in the next lane will be allowed to either bear left onto Wesley drive or bear right onto Folly Road Boulevard.
Drivers in the far right lane will continue to bear right onto Folly Road Boulevard.
Improvements to Wesley Drive between Folly Road and U.S. 17 (Savannah Highway) will include new curb and gutter, drainage improvements, and new sidewalks. Additional measures will be made behind the sidewalk to improve drainage for adjacent properties.
The existing sidewalks on Folly Road Boulevard will be replaced from Folly Road to Albemarle Road and upgraded to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
Folly Road, Wesley Drive, and a portion of Folly Road Boulevard will be resurfaced and will include improved crosswalks.
Ten-foot sidewalks for pedestrians and bicyclists using the West Ashley Greenway will lead from the Greenway to a new improved crosswalk across Folly Road at Windermere Boulevard.
The existing crosswalk at Wesley Drive and St. Andrews Boulevard will be relocated to shorten the distance it takes for a pedestrian to cross St. Andrews Boulevard.
The stoplight and pedestrian signal at the intersection of Folly Road and Windermere Boulevard will be upgraded. The pedestrian signal at the intersection of Wesley Drive and St. Andrews Boulevard will also be upgraded.
Measures will be taken to protect the grand trees that line Wesley Drive and U.S. 17 during construction.
Landscaping will be added at the intersection of Wesley Drive and Folly Road including improved landscaping for the large island at the intersection of Folly Road and Wesley Drive.
The intersection of Fenwick Drive at Wesley Drive will be closed.


Roadwork that requires lane closures will occur mostly at night to minimize effects on traffic. Some lane closures may be scheduled during the day on selected weekends. Advance notice of all lane closures will be provided to the media.

The public can get up-to-date project information, including construction status and traffic alerts, online at http://www.ccroadwise.org/us17_sc61_wesley.html.

BACKGROUND:

The U.S.17/S.C.61/Wesley Drive project was requested by the City of Charleston and approved by voters in the first bond referendum. The voters of Charleston County authorized the County to issue $77 million in bonds, which will be repaid through Transportation Sales Tax revenues. The entire amount of the first bond referendum is allocated for the following transportation improvement projects:

Folly Road and Maybank Highway Intersection Improvements
Glenn McConnell Parkway / Bees Ferry Road Intersection (West Ashley Circle)
Harbor View Road Improvements
U.S. 17/S.C. 61/Wesley Drive Improvements
Palmetto Commerce Parkway
US 17 / Johnnie Dodds Boulevard Improvements
Visit the official Web site at www.ccroadwise.org for public meeting notices and up-to-date news and information about all Charleston County Transportation Sales Tax.