Charleston County, South Carolina – Charleston County commissioners plan to travel and hear from residents regarding the next phase of the county’s transportation sales tax program.
From now until December 1, county officials will attend municipal and town council meetings around the Lowcountry to solicit public opinion on a prospective 2026 transportation sales tax proposal.
The concept arises from a September vote by the Charleston County Council’s newly formed Transportation Sales Tax Committee, which agreed to launch a transparent public feedback process to steer what might become an extension of the half-cent transportation sales tax.
Since its inception in 2004, voters have twice supported a half-cent sales tax, raising more over $4.5 billion for road, bridge, transit, and green space initiatives.
These funds have helped fund important improvements like as the widening of Glenn McConnell Parkway, the Camp Road Roundabout, enhancements ranging from the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge to the I-526 bridge, and work on the Lowcountry Rapid Transit System.
Overall, the tax has helped fund 895 miles of resurfacing and asphalt, 69 intersection improvements, and 49 miles of bike, pedestrian, and multi-use trails.
Although the tax will last until 2027, the majority of the revenues have already been allocated to current projects. Last November, voters rejected a proposal to renew the tax, but county leaders say they are dedicated to listening before deciding what to do next.
Eric Adams, Charleston County’s Director of Public Works, stated that hearing directly from citizens will help ensure that the program meets community requirements.
“The citizens and municipalities know their areas and the needs of that area better than anyone else does,” according to Adams. “So, we want to hear from the community on exactly what they’d like to see as far as improvements.”
He noted that officials are planning for the long term.
“We’re taking the approach of beginning with the end in mind,” says Adams. “We want to think about multiple categories of investment, such as transportation infrastructure, green space preservation, and transit, and then develop initiatives that fit into those categories. After 25 years, we aspire to have completed our goals.”
According to county data, more than 72% of daily commuters drive alone to work, underlining the need for more effective traffic solutions. The report also states that 41% of Charleston County’s major roadways are in “poor or mediocre condition,” highlighting the growing need for maintenance and upgrading.
According to Adams, public interaction will contribute in the discovery of new solutions.
“Different things could be widening roads, intersection safety improvements, or better signal coordination,” he told me. “Everything is on the table now. “No idea is a bad idea.”
The public input meeting on Tuesday begins at 6 p.m. at Ravenel Town Hall, located on Conners Street. However, for individuals who are unable to attend, county staff will continue to collect comments both in person and online until December 1.
