Folly Road, long considered one of the more dangerous corridors in the state, is set to undergo safety upgrades aimed at protecting drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. The improvements will add sidewalks from Ellis Creek to George L. Griffith Boulevard and include restriping portions of the roadway. The $5.61 million project is funded through the 2016 half-cent Sales Tax, federal grants, the Town of James Island and the city of Charleston.
Advocates say the changes are badly needed. Data from a road safety audit showed 2,103 vehicle crashes, 15 pedestrian crashes and 21 bicycle crashes between January 2018 and December 2022 along the corridor.
Part of Larger Re-Think Folly Road and S.C. 171 Projects
The improvements mark the first phase of the broader Re-Think Folly Road initiative. A proposal package has been sent to the South Carolina Department of Transportation for approval, with the project expected to be advertised this quarter.
At the same time, SCDOT is advancing the S.C. 171 Safety Corridor Project, which will focus on a five-mile stretch from Old Folly Beach Road to Maybank Highway. Planned upgrades include raised medians, sidewalks and lane reconfigurations. Construction on that project is expected to begin in 2026.
Balancing Safety and Business Concerns
Some residents and business owners have voiced concerns that raised medians could divert traffic into neighborhoods or limit access to businesses. However, SCDOT officials say research shows raised medians have little to no negative impact on sales, citing studies indicating broader economic conditions — not medians — typically influence revenue changes.
Community advocates argue that improving safety must take priority. With both projects moving forward, supporters say they are optimistic that Folly Road will become a safer and more accessible corridor for everyone who travels it.
