infrastructure priorities - cmcc...infrastructure vision committee will lobby for the importance of...

INFRASTRUCTURE PRIORITIES

INFRASTRUCTURE VISION COMMITTEEReleased December 2018

Table o F Contents

Infrastructure Policy Principles

Project Selection Criteria

ABOUT US

Priority Projects Map

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New Road Construction• Airport Connector Road• Berlin G. Myers Parkway Phase 3• College Park Road to Jedburg Road• Glenn McConnell Parkway Extension

• Mark Clark Expressway Completion • Sea Islands Greenway• Billy Swails Boulevard Extension

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ENHANCING MASS TRANSIT• Lowcountry Rapid Transit

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BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIONS• Ashley River Non-Motorized Bridge

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10Improving Existing Roads• Hwy 17 / Main Road Interchange • Hwy 41 Corridor Improvement • Hwy 78 Widening • I-26 Widening and Improvements

• I-526 Widening and 26/526 Interchange • Palmetto Commerce Interchange• Palmetto Commerce Parkway Phase 3• Red Bank Road

15EXPANDING Freight Capacity• Charleston Harbor Deepening• Navy Base Intermodal Facility

• Hugh K. Leatherman Port Terminal• Port Access Road

STORM Water Management• Church Creek Basin

18• Crosstown Drainage Project

Infrastructure is essential to economic vitality.

The Charleston Metro Region has enjoyed incredible economic success over the past decade, but our transportation capacity hasn’t kept up. To continue growing jobs and economic opportunity, we must enhance the capacity of our transportation network and make necessary investments in freight movement and storm water management.

All modes o F transportation are important to regional competitiveness.

Employers rely on roads and bridges to move people and products. Businesses also rely on other modes of transportation including rail, air service and shipping. Meanwhile, residents increasingly expect more options including transit, walkability and bike enhancements. Planners must take a holistic approach when evaluating the region’s current and future transportation needs and tie transportation planning with land-use planning.

Infrastructure enhances quality o F life.

Enhancements to our infrastructure should protect our historic assets, minimize impact to the environment and help more citizens access jobs and amenities while spending less time in traffic. Because of our strategic location on the coast, the Charleston region must plan for resiliency of our transportation and infrastructure systems in the face of natural disaster and persistent flooding threats.

Continued need for all sources o F funding and financing.

The infrastructure funding bill, passed by the State General Assembly in 2017, is a huge victory for South Carolina and the Charleston region. The projected $630 million annually in new revenue it generates will significantly improve funding for maintenance and expansion of existing roadways and will help complete many existing priority road improvements. But it does not solve all of our infrastructure funding problems.

Creating the regional transportation system employers and residents demand will also require significant funds for new construction and smart financing solutions. The region’s leaders must continue to prudently invest revenue from county sales taxes, seek federal matching dollars and leverage funds and financing support from the State Infrastructure Bank and other sources.

Infrastructure Policy Principles

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All projects included in this document are top priorities and the order of presentation is not a ranking.

The projects highlighted in this publication are carefully vetted and ultimately selected by the Charleston Metro Chamber’s Infrastructure Vision Committee.

The projects in this document were evaluated against the following criteria: • Accommodate Anticipated Growth • Advocate for Feasible and Fundable Solutions• Enhance Region-wide Connectivity

• Facilitate Freight Movement • Promote Economic Development • Preserve and Enhance Quality o f Life

Project SelectionCriteria

Charleston Metro Chamber

With approximately 1,600 member organizations representing 160,000 professionals, the Charleston Metro Chamber serves as the collective voice of the tri-county business community and a catalyst for regional economic advancement and member success.

Infrastructure Vision COMMITTEE

Originally established as a task force in 2011, the Infrastructure Vision Committee studies the region’s short- and long-term infrastructure needs and advises the Chamber’s Board about priority projects. The Committee is made up of large employers and private-sector leaders with backgrounds in engineering, construction, planning and resource management. Their first Infrastructure Priorities report was published in 2013 and has been updated regularly.

ABOUT US

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Glenn McConnell Parkway Extension

Church Creek Drainage Basin

Crosstown Drainage

Lowcountry Rapid Transit

Ashley River Non-Motorized Bridge

Mark Clark Expressway Completion

Highway 17 and Main Road Interchange

Charleston Harbor

Deepening

Palmetto Commerce Parkway - Phase 3

Airport Connector Road

College Park Road to Jedburg Road

Berlin Myers Parkway - Phase 3

Sea Islands Greenway

Palmetto Commerce Interchange

I-526 Widening and InterchangeImprovements

Red Bank Road

Highway 78 Widening

I-26 Widening and Improvements

Navy Base Intermodal Facility

Port Access Road

Hugh K. Leatherman Port Terminal

Priority Projects Map

Highway 41 Corridor Improvement

Billy Swails Boulevard Extension

New Road Construction

ImprovING Existing RoadS

ExpanDING Freight Capacity

STORM Water Management

ENHANCING MASS TRANSIT

BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIONS

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ENHANCING MASS TRANSIT

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Continued population growth, the desire to preserve open land, traffic congestion and shifting resident expectations practically demand a future with more and better mass transit options. If coupled with appropriate zoning changes to allow walkable commercial and residential development, the envisioned Lowcountry Rapid Transit (LCRT) line, connecting downtown Summerville with the Charleston Peninsula along the Rivers Avenue corridor, holds tremendous promise.

LOWCOUNTRY Rapid Transit

Description: A 23-mile bus rapid transit (BRT) line connecting downtown Summerville, North Charleston and the Charleston Peninsula. Functioning like “light rail on rubber tires,” this mass transit system will operate a fleet of buses in dedicated lanes along the Rivers Avenue corridor (U.S. 78/U.S. 52). The line will provide an alternative to Interstate 26 for commuters.

Purpose: Create a “spine” for Charleston’s mass transit system along the most heavily traveled commuter corridor in the region. The envisioned 18-stop line would offer opportunities for connecting service to employment centers, transit-oriented development and park-and-ride facilities at certain stations. The goal is to reduce vehicle congestion in the I-26 Corridor and offer residents the opportunity for a car-optional commute.

A BRT system is the most feasible mass transit option for our area in terms of cost and capacity. It features dedicated lanes and traffic signal prioritization. It has the added benefit of flexibility because rubber tire buses can go into mixed traffic when needed.

Status: Preliminary engineering and planning are underway. The project must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Construction is estimated to be complete in 2025.

Estimated Cost: $360 million

Funding: The Charleston County 2016 Half-Cent Transportation Sales Tax referendum pledges $250 million for transit. That funding will be used as the local match to apply for funding from the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grant program.

The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments is managing the Lowcountry Rapid Transit project.

PROPOSED CORRIDORDowntown Summerville

Remount

College Park / Fairgrounds

Shipwatch Square

Berlin Myers

North Charleston City Center

Trident Health / CSU

Stromboli

Lincolnville

Liberty Hill / Amtrak

Otranto

Magnolia

Northwoods Mall

Upper Peninsula

Huger Street

Trident Technical College

Romney Street

Line Street6

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* The station locations and route shown are not intended to signify the final approved station locations or route. The process of station location and route determination is still underway.

Key

Segment 1Segment 2Segment 3Segment 4Design VariantSegment 5Station AreaPark & RideTransit Center

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New Road Construction

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Given our region’s consistent, steady growth and a long history of underfunding infrastructure, new road capacity remains a dominate need. All of these new road construction projects will have a profound impact on traffic and mobility region-wide, but two are above the rest in scale, scope and transformative impact: completion of the Mark Clark Expressway and extension of the Glenn McConnell Parkway.

Once completed, the Mark Clark Expressway will provide a safe evacuation route for residents of James and Johns Islands. It will also alleviate choke points at Main Road and Folly Road and take hundreds of daily commuters off surface streets in West Ashley and Downtown Charleston.

Extending the Glenn McConnell Parkway from its current end at Bees Ferry Road in West Ashley to U.S. 17A west of Summerville will create an important alternative north-south route that will alleviate volume on I-26. It will also help protect the scenic and historic Ashley River area along Hwy 61.

Berlin G. Myers Parkway - Phase Description: Construction of a new alignment primary route that is approximately 2.5 miles, five lanes curb and gutter, from U.S. 17A (Boone Hill Road) to S-18-339 (Gahagan Road). Also includes intersection improvements at U.S. 17A, Orangeburg Road (S-18-22), Greenwave Boulevard (S-18-363/678) and Luden Road (S-18-706).

Purpose: Reduce congestion and improve operations by providing an alternate primary route to U.S. 17A.

Status: A revised project delivery schedule is being reviewed currently. The project is currently being designed, permitted and LET for construction by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). SCDOT will have ownership and maintenance responsibilities for the new roadway and bridge structures. The Town of Summerville will be entering into a maintenance agreement with SCDOT for the multi-use pathway that will be reconstructed as a part of this project.

Estimated Cost: $135,422,300.00

Funding: $126,070,909 has been committed from the following: CHATS Guideshare, South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank, Dorchester County Transportation Authority Sales Tax.

Glenn McConnell PARKWAY Extension

Description: Major arterial road extending the Glenn McConnell Parkway from Bees Ferry Road to U.S. 17A west of Summerville.

Purpose: Provides an alternative to I-26 for Summerville residents and protects the scenic nature of the Ashley River area by diverting traffic between I-526 and Bacons Bridge Road.

Status: The Dorchester County portion of the Glenn McConnell Parkway Extension will be a key project included in their next sales tax referendum. In Fall 2014, Charleston County added the Glenn McConnell Parkway Extension to its Comprehensive Plan. As Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) begins to update their long-range transportation plan, the Infrastructure Vision Committee will lobby for the importance of the project and moving it up the priority list. The committee continues to meet with land owners, the City of Charleston, Dorchester County and BCDCOG to move this critical project forward.

Estimated Cost: No estimated cost at this time.

Funding: Dorchester County has obtained a commitment for right-of-way to be donated, at no cost, through the East Edisto property. A possible funding source could be tax increment financing.

Airport Connector Road

Description: A new three-mile multi-lane roadway that provides a new route to the airport. The roadway is expected to start at W. Montague Ave and cross over Michaux Parkway to provide a direct access to the airport.

Purpose: To provide a more direct access route to the airport and improve traffic around the Boeing facilities and Charleston International Airport.

Status: The project design contract has been awarded to the Reveer Group. Preliminary design is underway among Charleston County, the Federal Aviation Administration and the United States Air Force. Construction is expected to begin in 2020.


Funding: Funding for the Airport Connector Road Project will come from the 2016 Half-Cent Sales Tax Referendum and a grant from the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

College Park Road to Jedburg Road

Description: Extend College Park Road from where it currently terminates at U.S. 17A in Western Berkeley County, connecting to Nexton Parkway and on to Jedburg Road.

Purpose: With Volvo’s expansion, traffic and development are increasing in Western Berkeley County. This new road project would create another major artery to move traffic east and west and alleviate congestion on I-26 and Highway 176.

Status: This project is not currently on the Berkeley County Long Range Comprehensive Plan.

Estimated Cost: There is no cost estimate at this time.

Funding: Potential item on the next half-cent sales tax referendum or State Transportation Infrastructure Bank (STIB) funding.

BiLLY SWAILS BOULEVARD Extension

Description: The final roadway segment that will complete what was originally named the Hungryneck Boulevard Corridor, a parallel route to U.S. 17 and Rifle Range Road. The connection will be a two-lane divided roadway with turn lanes, bike and pedestrian facilities. The project will join the existing Sweetgrass Basket Parkway where it terminates at Six Mile Road with the existing portion of Billy Swails Boulevard to the east at Hamlin Road.

Purpose: Gives Mount Pleasant a third complete major north-south road easing traffic congestion on Highway 17 and Rifle Range Road.

Status: Preliminary engineering began in August 2017 and a Public Information Meeting was held February 27, 2018. Traffic analysis and modeling is ongoing.

Estimated Cost: $12.5 million

Funding: The project is fully funded with a combination of local funding and federal funding.

Mark Clark Expressway Completion

Description: This project completes the initial vision for I-526. It will add approximately eight miles of new multi-lane, controlled-access roadway between the current western end of I-526 at U.S.17/Savannah Highway in West Ashley and the James Island Expressway interchange at Folly Road.

Purpose: Allows another major artery on and off James and Johns Islands and provides another much-needed evacuation route for the barrier islands west of the Ashley River. The completion of the road will help alleviate traffic congestion in West Ashley, James Island and Johns Island.

Status: In October 2018 the South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank Board (STIB) met to rescind their June 2018 vote to end the project and reopen negotiations with Charleston County officials to find a suitable funding solution for the remainder of the project. The two sides have until January 10, 2019 to come to an agreement to move the project forward.


Funding: Charleston County has proposed to add an additional $188 million in matching funds to the original $117 million bringing the County’s share of the project to $305 million. If agreed to by Charleston County and STIB the Bank Board’s $420 will be reinstated and the project will move forward.

Sea Island Greenway

Description: A 10-mile, four-lane road connecting River Road with I-526 to the Betsy Kerrison Parkway.

Purpose: Gives direct access for residents, visitors and employees to and from Johns Island and the sea islands of Kiawah and Seabrook, thus alleviating traffic congestion on Maybank Highway on James and Johns Islands as well as Main Road on Johns Island.

Status: The project is awaiting action from the Charleston County Council. Charleston County Council has commissioned several studies in the past concerning traffic safety and congestion on Johns Island, in which all studies have recommended a greenway-type solution. Traffic levels of 18 to 20 thousand vehicles per day are anticipated (most diverted from other access routes). Charleston County Council has not yet acted on their recommendations, but this remains a critical priority for our region. To preserve the rural character of the area, the project would be modeled after the George Washington Parkway in Washington, D.C.

Estimated Cost: Funding estimates range from $60+ million.

Funding: Funding has not yet been identified for this project.

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Improving Existing Roads

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Highway Widening

Description: Widening Highway 78 from Ladson (near the fairgrounds) to the Berlin G. Myers Parkway.

Purpose: Alleviates residential and business traffic into Summerville allowing another four-lane artery into and out of Summerville.

Status: Infrastructure Vision Committee members will meet with officials in Dorchester County to consider including this project in their Comprehensive Transportation Master Plan.


Funding: Potential funding for this project could be included in the next Half-Cent sales tax referendum.

I- Widening and Interchange Improvements

Description: This two-phase project will add lanes and rework interchanges on existing portions of I-526.

Purpose: Expands capacity and improves safety on one of the region’s primary routes.

Status: Phase one, from Rivers Avenue to Paul Cantrell Boulevard, is currently going through the NEPA process and development phase. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2022. For phase two of the project, from Rivers Avenue to Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant, initial surveying, mapping efforts and preliminary traffic and planning studies are underway.

Estimated Cost: $850 million phase 1

Funding: Per Act 98 of 2013, $50 million was transferred from the SCDOT to the STIB for bonding capacity of $500 million and several significant statewide road projects on SCDOT’s priority list were advanced for construction. Those funds will work in conjunction with Act 275 of 2016 which bonds existing and redirected revenues by the STIB and dedicates monies for the completion of this project. Therefore, the widening of I-526 has been approved by the commission and will be funded by SCDOT and the Interstate Federal Aid program.

Highway CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT

Description: Will widen Highway 41 from two lanes to four from the Wando River Bridge at Clements Ferry Road to Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant. Will also improve bike and pedestrian access/safety and improve the intersection at Highway 41 and Highway 17.

Purpose: Expands capacity on the primary connection between Mount Pleasant and major employment centers in Berkeley County, east of the Cooper River.

Status: Currently in phase two of the project, which includes NEPA process and analysis of possible alternatives. At a public meeting on May 16, 2018, three reasonable alternatives were presented. Phase three, which includes design-build RFP and procurement is slated for a 2019 start. Construction is expected to begin in 2022.

For latest information check: www.hwy41sc.com.


Funding: Charleston County 2016 Half-Cent Transportation Sales Tax.

PALMETTO COMMERCE Parkway - Phase Description: Envisioned as the final segment of the Palmetto Commerce Parkway connecting the current terminus at Ashley Phosphate Road to Aviation Avenue near I-26, Joint Base Charleston and Charleston International Airport.

Purpose: Completes a connecting route between Ladson Road and Aviation Avenue to help relieve traffic congestion along parallel roads such as Dorchester Road, Rivers Avenue and I-26.

NOTE: The Charleston Metro Chamber only supports this project if there are no encroachment issues with the runways of the Charleston International Airport and the Air Base at Joint Base Charleston

Status: The project remains in the design phase.


Funding: Funding will come from the 2016 Half-Cent Sales Tax Referendum, a grant from the South Carolina Department of Commerce and a Special Source Revenue Bond.

Palmetto Commerce Interchange

Description: A new westbound interchange on I-26 between U.S. 78/University Boulevard and Ashley Phosphate Road, which will connect the Palmetto Commerce Parkway.

Purpose: Creates a new connection on I-26 to Palmetto Commerce Parkway, Weber Boulevard and Ingleside Boulevard to relieve congestion and provides a direct route for workers traveling to and around Palmetto Commerce Park.

Status: Charleston County is the lead for this project. Preliminary designs were presented at a public information meeting in Fall 2017. Charleston County has been working through the NEPA process for the past year. Public hearing and final federal approval are projected in Q4 of 2018. Construction is expected to begin in 2020.

For latest information check: www.palmettocommerceinterchange.com.



I- Widening and Improvements

Description: Widen I-26 from Highway 27 (near the new Volvo facility) to the Septima P. Clark Parkway.

Purpose: Expands capacity and improves interchanges on the primary route into and out of the Charleston metro.

Status: SCDOT is currently studying the most efficient way to widen and improve interchanges on I-26 from Highway 27 to the Charleston Peninsula and estimated costs of the project.


Funding: Potential funding for this project could come from one or a combination of the following sources: STIB, new revenue generated from Act 40 or federal funds.

Highway / Main Road INTERCHANGE

Description: A grade-separated overpass and road widening at the intersection of Highway 17 and Main Road.

Purpose: Improves safety and access for Johns Island, alleviates traffic congestion and solves flooding issues with the current intersection.

Status: Preliminary design study is underway. The project will go through the NEPA process. This is a Charleston County led project. Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering Services, PLLC is contracted to proceed with design work.



Red Bank Road

Description: In 1962, the United States Navy granted a 50-year easement for a three mile section of Red Bank Road through federal property on the Naval Weapons Station to the state of South Carolina to allow access to the Bushy Park Industrial Complex. Construction of a separate public route was planned but never built. Growth in the industrial complex and mission expansion on the base has increased vehicles per day to more than 36,000.

Purpose: Creates a secured road only accessible by military personnel and a separate public road that provides access to the Bushy Park Industrial Complex.

Status: Joint Base Charleston has recently conducted a feasibility study to determine alternatives to the existing Red Bank Road. The preferred alternative would construct a gate near the intersection of Red Bank Road and North Rhett Avenue and construct a new road to provide public access to the Bushy Park Industrial Complex. The new public road would be constructed parallel to the base access road between the Naval Nuclear School and the existing Naval Weapons Station.

Estimated Cost: between $56.5 and $75 million

Funding: No funding currently. Joint Base Charleston continues to work with Berkeley County on a solution.

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BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN

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ASHLEY RIVER NON-MOTORIZED BRIDGE

Description: Stand-alone bridge for non-motorized use to connect West Ashley with Downtown Charleston. A new span across the Ashley River would be adjacent to the existing Legare Bridge.

Purpose: Provides an important bike and pedestrian link between a heavily populated area of our region and one of the largest employment centers. It connects existing bike and pedestrian infrastructure and provides an important commute alternative, particularly for the sizeable workforce in our hospital district.

NOTE: The Charleston Metro Chamber supports this new bridge provided the project design maintains waterway navigability and does not obstruct the functionality of the Legare Bridge. The Chamber does not support the closure of existing traffic lanes for non-motorized use.

Status: Initial concept renderings are complete. The project submission for a 2018 U.S. Department of Transportation BUILD grant in a competitive application process was unsucessful. Next steps are contingent on federal funding.


Funding: Roughly $6 million in local matching funds are committed from the City of Charleston, Charleston County and non-profit organizations. The remainder will come from federal funding sources.

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Expanding Freight capacity

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The Charleston region and South Carolina make things the world wants. That’s great for our economy because jobs at exporting companies pay significantly higher than average wages. We’re also a military -friendly state; one out of every 12 jobs in South Carolina and $10.6 billion in economic activity in metro Charleston are a direct result of our military sector.

To keep our manufacturing engine humming and our military missions supported, we must keep raw materials flowing in and finished product moving out. That means enhancing Charleston’s deep-water harbor and expanding capacity at our modern port facilities.

CHARLESTON Harbor Deepening

Description: 52-foot Charleston Harbor Deepening Project.

Purpose: With the widening of the Panama Canal complete, larger vessels can travel from the far east to the United States East Coast. To accommodate these neo-Panamax vessels, which can carry up to 14,000 TEUs, the South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) is deepening its harbor from the current depth of 45 feet to 52 feet. Once completed, the Port of Charleston will be the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast, capable of handling fully-loaded neo-Panamax vessels 24/7 with no tidal restrictions. Currently,18 of 26 weekly calls are neo-Panamax vessels.

Status: In May 2017, the Harbor Deepening project was named as a new construction start in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers FY2017 Work Plan and received $17.5 million in construction funding. The two contracts for the Entrance Channel were awarded in the Fall of 2017. Construction began in March 2018 and is scheduled to be completed by 2021. In May 2018, the project received an additional $49 million in the U.S. Army Corps FY 2018 Work Plan.


Funding: The project will be funded by state and federal sources, as well as the local sponsor, the SCPA. In 2012, the South Carolina General Assembly set aside $300 million to cover the estimated state share. The Federal Government has appropriated $66.5 million. The State has allocated an additional contingency loan of $50 million, to be repaid upon receipt of the Federal share of the project. Future additional funding will come from the Federal Government.

Port Access Road

Description: A new 1.17-mile road to connect I-26 and the new Hugh K. Leatherman Port Terminal.

Purpose: Creates dedicated commercial access for the new Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal to I-26.

Status: The design-build project is currently under construction and will be completed by the opening of the new terminal. The Port Access Road, which is managed by the SCDOT, will directly connect the new terminal to I-26, and will provide two inbound and two outbound lanes for port-related traffic. The new fully directional interchange will also serve local and commercial vehicles with a new connector road to Bainbridge Avenue, an extension of Stromboli Avenue, improved I-26/Meeting Street access ramps and associated roadway improvements to surface streets. The access road will open coincident with the opening of the terminal.


Funding: Federal and State allocations, along with South Carolina Ports Authority.

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HUGH K. Leath erman PORT Terminal

Description: A new 280-acre container terminal in North Charleston.

Purpose: As the only permitted new container terminal on the East and Gulf Coasts, the project is a competitive advantage for the SCPA. The project will increase container traffic and boost current capacity by 50%.

Status: Since receiving the final permit approvals in 2007, the SCPA continues site preparation, which includes placing fill and surcharge behind the containment wall and upland area of the 280-acre terminal. Construction is underway with completion for phase one planned in 2021.


Funding: Funded by the South Carolina Ports Authority.

Navy Base Intermodal Facility (NBIF)

Description: 130-acre site on the former Charleston Navy Base designed to help facilitate goods and cargo movement via intermodal rail to and from the SCPA marine container terminal facilities, specifically from the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal within South Carolina and the Southeast.

Purpose: The planned harbor deepening project and the SCPA Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal development all support the need for increased intermodal railhead capacity to ensure the continued competitive growth of the port and our state’s economy. Both Class I rail carriers (CSX and Norfolk Southern) will have equal access to the site.

Status: A final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was published in June 2018 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and a Record of Decision (ROD) was issued by the USACE in September 2018. The ROD issuance allows the project to move forward with funding and construction. Estimated project completion is to coincide with the opening of the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal in 2021.

Estimated Cost: $290 Million

Funding: Palmetto Railways is pursuing funding through the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) program. The RRIF program was established by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). Under this program, the FRA Administrator is authorized to provide direct loans and loan guarantees up to $35 billion to finance development of railroad infrastructure, with a specific focus on development of new intermodal facilities. Palmetto Railways also has authority to issue revenue bonds, if necessary.

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STORM WaterManagement

CROSSTOWN Drainage

Description: Improve the drainage system and operations of Septima P. Clark Parkway.

Purpose: Helps relieve the area of flooding during large rain events in the City of Charleston.

Status: Phase One Completed: Improving traffic efficiency, safety, pedestrian safety, increasing storm water structures and adding 5,500 feet of drainage piping.

Phase Two Completed:Added eight drop shafts that are connected to the deep tunnel system in Phase three. Completed Fall 2017.

Phase Three: UnderwayThis phase will construct 8,232 feet of 12-foot diameter tunnel up to 150 feet below ground including two 30-foot diameter working shafts and two 20-foot diameter exit shafts. The main line tunnel is one mile long. Phase Three is expected to be completed in 2020.

Phase Four: Out for Bid Construction of the wet well for large storm water pumps and the triple box culvert outfall into the Ashley River. Phase Four is planned to begin in 2018.

Phase Five: Follows Phase FourA new pump station between the Ashley River Bridges with three pumps capable of pumping 120,000 gallons per minute. Construction is currently estimated to begin in 2019 and be completed in late 2021.

Estimated Cost: All phases: $154 Million

Funding: Phase One was funded through the TIGER 1 program. Phase Two is funded as a 2012 50/50 Federal Match project. The remaining phases will be funded by the STIB. Tax Increment Financing (TIF) dollars may be used to supplement funding.

Church Creek Drainage Basin

Description: The Church Creek drainage basin drains nearly 5,000 acres of primarily residential development in West Ashley. Several significant flooding events in recent years have highlighted inadequate storm water drainage capacity in the area. Capital improvements and new water management strategies are likely necessary to accommodate anticipated growth and prevent damage to existing properties.

Purpose: Drainage improvements and new water management strategies will allow planned residential and mixed-use projects in the area to proceed.

Status: In Spring 2017, Charleston City Council enacted a temporary moratorium on new development in the Church Creek drainage basin. A study is underway to determine new infrastructure needs and explore policy recommendations.

Estimated Cost: Undetermined

Funding: Potential revenue sources will be identified to match needs. Approximately $11 million was received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), including a city match for Hazard Mitigation Grant Project funding to buy additional flood prone structures. Federal Pre-Disaster Mitigation and Flood Mitigation Assistance Grants will also be sought.

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4500 Leeds Avenue, Suite 100N. Charleston, SC 29405

[email protected]

www.charlestonchamber.org

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