Berkeley County, S.C. — The ongoing construction of apartment buildings along Clements Ferry Road has raised concerns among local residents and frequent travelers about worsening traffic congestion in the area. Many residents say the increased development is exacerbating an already traffic-heavy stretch that includes daily accidents, delays, and frustration.
Worsening Traffic Conditions
With the surge in construction and population growth, drivers have reported backed-up traffic stretching almost a mile on the Exit 526 ramp onto Clements Ferry Road. One local resident, Jeff Owens, expressed his concerns:
“We’re just not set up to handle this many people.”
The frustration is felt daily, as commuters face long delays. Donovan Cooper, a visitor to the area, shared his experience:
“I’m talking about 3 hours in traffic just to get to North Charleston and back.”
Improvement Efforts and ‘Induced Demand’
In 2024, Berkeley County completed the second phase of widening Clements Ferry Road to four lanes, hoping to alleviate congestion. However, experts warn that such improvements can create an “induced demand” — where more accessible roads attract even more traffic.
Chris Mothorpe, Associate Professor of Economics at the College of Charleston, explained the phenomenon:
“If you widen roads, build new roads, people will move there. It lowers transportation costs to all that land. People are going to move there to capitalize on the land that’s now easily accessible.”
While widening the road may ease traffic in the short term, it could also lead to more vehicles and increased congestion in the long run, as more people choose to move to the area.
Mixed Jurisdictions and Residents’ Requests
Clements Ferry Road falls under the jurisdiction of multiple agencies, including Berkeley County, the City of Charleston, and the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). Residents feel that these agencies need to work together to address the growing problem.
Local resident Sarah Coslick suggested that traffic lights and additional law enforcement could help mitigate the problem:
“A stoplight would be beneficial because of all the traffic. I think it would fluctuate a little better. Maybe stop signs and cops guiding traffic if need be.”
County and State Responses
News 2 reached out to Berkeley County, SCDOT, and the City of Charleston for comment. While Berkeley County confirmed the widening project was completed and said it was their main solution, we are still awaiting responses from SCDOT and the City of Charleston regarding potential future improvements.
