North Charleston, South Carolina. The Palmetto Commerce Interchange project, which had been in the works for nearly a decade, finally opened on Monday.
The junction will provide extra access options to the I-26 corridor for local residents, companies, and commuters.
Charleston County Council has been striving to address the county’s persistent traffic issues, and with the inauguration of the Palmetto Commerce Interchange, residents and visitors to the booming area will benefit.
“It will reduce commute times, increase safety, and provide greater accessibility for residents and commercial businesses,” said Alex Owsiak, capital programs manager for Charleston County Public Works.
Construction on the project began in 2023, with a total cost of little under 90 million dollars, including 54 million spent on construction.
Council members commended the project to the 2016 half-cent sales tax, which they plan to sustain for future initiatives.
“Without the half penny sales tax, projects like these couldn’t be done,” stated Teddy E Pryor, a Charleston County councilmember representing District 5.
Jenny Honeycutt, Charleston County councilmember representing District 9, stated, “This is what it looks like to deliver results, and this is what we can do with the transportation sales tax dollars.”
