Charleston County is launching the final phase of the Maybank Highway and Woodland Shores Complete Streets project on James Island, S.C. Construction starts soon and focuses on key pedestrian safety upgrades along Maybank Highway, including a mid-block crossing, rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFB), a center island refuge, and new sidewalk. These changes aim to create safer crossings near spots like Pourhouse, addressing long-standing dangers in this four-lane corridor.
Work has been planned since 2019, with Woodland Shores Road improvements breaking ground in 2025. Despite initial pushback from local businesses over potential impacts, collaboration with residents and organizations prioritized safety, as noted by Council Member Jenny Costa Honeycutt.
Safety Improvements and Rationale
The upgrades target a high-risk area with past incidents, including the 2019 death of David Massie and a recent crash involving Robert Leventhal. Key features include:
- Mid-block crossing with RRFB: Activates flashing lights to alert drivers, providing a safe path across from Pourhouse and back.
- Center island refuge: Allows pedestrians to pause mid-crossing, breaking the four lanes into safer segments.
- New sidewalk: Enhances continuous pedestrian access.
- No-left-turn rule for drivers: Reduces conflict points.
- Restricted crossings: Pedestrians can only cross at designated spots, discouraging risky shortcuts.
Civil engineer Chris Orofino emphasized the need for “much needed safe pedestrian accessibility.” Honeycutt added that these changes will slow traffic naturally, benefiting both walkers and drivers by promoting cautious behavior.
Construction Details
Nighttime lane closures run from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., with one lane open in each direction at all times to minimize daytime disruption. The work should wrap up within two months.
This aligns with broader Complete Streets efforts in Charleston County, emphasizing multimodal safety near commercial hubs. If you’re near James Island, watch for signage and plan alternate routes during evenings. Any questions on local traffic updates or similar projects?
