Charleston’s Lowcountry Lowline, a visionary linear park proposed in 2015, broke ground on December 15, 2025, marking the start of Phase One. This 1.6-mile pedestrian and bike corridor runs from Mount Pleasant Street to Line Street under I-26, transforming an old railroad right-of-way into a community connector.
Project Features and Timeline
- Design: Separate 10-foot pedestrian path and 12-foot bike trail, divided by landscaped medians, pocket parks, and gathering spaces.
- Full Scope: Nearly 2 miles total, linking Mount Pleasant Street to Marion Square via three zones—North Central Corridor (pocket parks, neighborhood market), Parks District (Newmarket Creek, Lowline Park), and Urban Core (pathways between buildings).
- Completion: Phase One finishes in Q1 2027.
- Benefits: Reconnects divided neighborhoods, boosts green space, manages flooding with rain gardens, and promotes active transport.
Funding and Support
Secured $15 million via tax increment financing, including a $6 million contract with Edifice Construction. Friends of the Lowline added $3 million, highlighted by a $2.5 million Speedwall Foundation gift honoring Tom Bradford, a key advocate.
Community Impact
Mayor William Cogswell called it “infrastructure that works for people,” emphasizing neighborhood reconnection post-I-26 construction. Leaders like Courtney Olson and Councilman Robert Mitchell stressed its role in uniting communities, enhancing safety, and healing historical divides.
This project aligns with Charleston’s push for resilient urban planning, blending recreation, flood control, and equity—perfect for locals into outdoor activities and community events. Excited about the Lowline? What’s your favorite spot on the peninsula it might connect?
