Station 1
English - Español
Project Background
The I-526 Lowcountry Corridor WEST project proposes improvements to the existing I-526 from 4 lanes to 8 lanes between Paul Cantrell Boulevard in West Ashley and Virginia Avenue in North Charleston. Additionally, interchange improvements are proposed in key locations. SCDOT currently identifies the segment of I-526 between I-26 and Virginia Avenue as the most congested segment of interstate highway in the state. The remainder of the I-526 Lowcountry Corridor WEST project, from I-26 to Paul Cantrell Boulevard, ranks among the top ten of the state’s existing most congested corridors.
On this page:
Study Area
The I-526 Lowcountry Corridor WEST project spans approximately 9.7 miles between Paul Cantrell Boulevard in West Ashley and Virginia Avenue in North Charleston along existing I-526, as well as 3.5 miles along I-26 from the east side of the I-26/E. Montague Avenue interchange to the Eagle Drive. In addition to this project, SCDOT is conducting two adjacent projects that are separate and distinct from the WEST. The I-526 Lowcountry Corridor EAST is a Planning & Environmental Linkages Study, which extends from Virginia Avenue in North Charleston to approximately US 17 in Mount Pleasant along existing I-526. The Mark Clark Extension project begins where the existing I-526 ends in West Ashley and would connect Johns Island and James island.
Project Development Process
SCDOT is following the standard development process for the I-526 Lowcountry Corridor WEST project that is used for developing large-scale roadway projects. The I-526 Lowcountry Corridor WEST project is currently undergoing a federal environmental review process called an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). We are seeking your input on the Recommended Preferred Alternative, as well as the potential right-of-way and environmental impacts of the proposed improvements. Currently, we are at step six, the Public Hearing, and seeking your input. This includes the DRAFT Community Mitigation Plan for those impacts in traditionally underserved communities. We will use your comments to refine the Recommended Preferred Alternative and DRAFT Community Mitigation plan. We are on track to complete the NEPA process in late 2021. Then, we can finalize right-of-way acquisitions and move to construction. We are working to acquire properties now to address the need for affordable housing within the potentially impacted communities. The full process is outlined in the graphic and accompanying text below.
View Detailed Process
1. Project Planning
Identify purpose and need for project
2. Collect Data
Conduct surveys and environmental studies
3. Develop
Conceptual road improvement alternatives
4. Public Meeting
Public input on conceptual alternatives
5. Analyze Alternatives
And identify preferred alternative that balances transportation benefits while minimizing impacts
6. Public Hearing*
Seek input on the Recommended Preferred Alternative and Proposed Right-of-way Impacts
7. Refine Alternative
Address public concerns and minimize impact
8. Finalize methods
To mitigate community and environmental impacts
9. Finalize Environmental Document
And secure NEPA approval from FHWA
10. If Design Build Project Delivery is selected:
Award Project to contractor
11. Final Design, Right-of-way Acquisition, and Environmental Permitting
12. Right-of-way (ROW) Acquisition
Preliminary contact with landowner and occupants by right-of-way agent for properties requiring new right-of-way acquisition
13. Real Estate Appraisal
Of properties requiring new rights-of-way
14. Relocation Benefits Package to Displacees
Right-of-way Agent makes a written offer and provides
15. Relocation Assistance
16. Negotiations and Settlement
17. Project Construction
- If Design Build delivery construction activities can overlap with Right-of-way and Final Design.
- If traditional Design-Bid-Build, construction will not begin until Right-of-way and Final Design is complete.
*Process depicted is for projects being developed under an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement; smaller projects developed under a Categorical Exclusion do not require a Public Hearing.
Project NEPA Schedule
The following is a list of the key milestones and dates for the I-526 Lowcountry Corridor WEST Environmental Impact Statement as part of the National Environmental Policy Act. Each year is broken down by quarters with 3 months in each quarters.
View Detailed Schedule
Perform Technical Studies (2018 Quarter 3 - 2020 Quarter 4)Develop Alternatives (2018 Quarter 3 - 2019 Quarter 3)
Agency Project Kickoff & Scoping Meeting (2019 Quarter 1)
Analyze Alternatives (2019 Quarter 3 - 2019 Quarter 4)
Community Meetings (2019 Quarter 4 - Quarter 1 2020)
FHWA Issues Notice of Intent (NOI) (2019 Quarter 4 - 2020 Quarter 1)
Public Information Meeting (November 21, 2019)
Develop Recommended Preferred Alternative (After the Public Information Meeting - 2019 Quarter 4 - 2020 Quarter 4)
Draft Environmental Impact Statement Issued (2020 Quarter 3 - 2020 Quarter 4)
Joint U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Individual Permit & U.S. Coast Guard Public Notices Issued (2020 Quarter 3 - 2021 Quarter 1)
Community Meetings (2020 Quarter 3 and 4)
★ Public Hearing (2020 Q4)
Revise Recommended Preferred Alternative following the Public Hearing comment period (2021 Quarter 1 - 2021 Quarter 3)
Federal Highway Administration Issues Final Environmental Impact Statement/Record Of Decision (2021 Quarter 3 - 2021 Quarter 4)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers & U.S. Coast Guard Issue Permit Decisions (2021 Quarter 3 - 2021 Quarter 4)
Stakeholder Meetings were held in 2018 Quarter 2 and 2019 Quarter 2 and then approximately quarterly from 2019 Quarter 4 through 2021 Quarter 4
Project Purpose
The purpose of the project is to increase capacity at the I-26/I-526 interchange and along the I5-26 mainline, thereby relieving traffic congestion and improving operations at the I-26/I-526 interchange and along the I-526 mainline