Sam Rittenberg Boulevard in West Ashley is slated for a major safety and connectivity redesign after years of study and community feedback.
Why the Redesign Is Needed
The roughly four-mile corridor is heavily used, with multiple travel lanes, partial sidewalks, and access to many businesses, but residents say it feels unsafe and stressful to navigate, especially during peak and holiday traffic. City data show more than 2,000 collisions between 2020 and 2024, prompting leaders to prioritize this project as part of a broader effort to improve West Ashley’s transportation network.
Key Features in the Concept
Early city renderings include intermittent raised landscaped medians to better organize traffic and reduce risky turns. They also show wider multi-use paths for people biking and running, upgraded traffic signals, and improved lighting designed to make the corridor safer and more comfortable for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users.
Timeline and Funding
Officials expect 30% design documents for phases one and two to be ready by summer 2026, which is a key milestone to qualify the project for transportation grants. A dedicated funding source is still needed, so the schedule beyond that milestone will depend on securing money for construction.
Community Perspective
Residents and advocates note that similar changes elsewhere in the region have improved traffic flow and safety and hope to see the same on Sam Rittenberg. City leaders and groups like Charleston Moves emphasize that the goal is a corridor where people feel safe choosing any mode—driving, riding the bus, walking, or biking—rather than feeling forced into a car for every trip.
