Public Meeting #1 Summary           

Dorchester Road Improvements Project 

Public Comment - Summary

Overview

On behalf of Dorchester County, the Dorchester Road Improvements Project team is committed to meaningful public involvement early and often throughout project design, development, and implementation. To share information about the proposed corridor improvements and solicit public feedback, a public information meeting (PIM) was held on July 15, 2025, from 5-7 PM at Fort Dorchester High School.

  • This meeting was conducted drop-in style, without a formal presentation, to provide flexibility and maximize opportunities for attendance.
  • Project representatives were present to engage with attendees and answer any questions.

All meeting materials, including handouts and map displays, were also made available on the Dorchester County - Dorchester Road Improvements Project Website. To inform future outreach strategies, an optional survey was distributed at the PIM. Findings indicate the following sources were most effective in sharing PIM info:

  • 65% respondents learned about the PIM through road signage
  • 38% respondents learned about the PIM through postcard mailers
  • 27% respondents learned about the PIM through local news channels

*Many respondents selected multiple sources

Comments regarding the proposed improvements were collected through multiple platforms for a 30-day comment period, ending August 15, 2025. Comments were documented, categorized, and thoroughly reviewed by the project team. Frequently discussed topics have been summarized below. Every effort has been made to address comments in the most comprehensive and transparent manner.

 

Summary of Public Comments

Comment Topics 

Emergency Services 

Comments expressing concern about the potential impacts to North Charleston Fire Station 11 (9002 Dorchester Road) and the accessibility of emergency services in the area were received.

  • The project team is coordinating with the North Charleston Fire Department to evaluate whether maintaining the existing emergency crossover for Station 11 is necessary to ensure rapid response times, or if an alternative, more efficient route can be incorporated into the project design.
  • Dorchester Road is a state-designated hurricane evacuation route. Emergency management representatives noted that this project is expected to improve traffic flow along this critical corridor, enhancing overall public safety.

 

Access Management

Comments expressing concern about neighborhood access in the Kings Grant, Cedar Grove/Trump Street, and Cannondale Drive/Seven Oaks Lane areas were received. Turn lanes and deceleration lanes were requested for parcels such as St. George’s Episcopal Church.

  • Project design will include evaluation of turn and deceleration lanes. Areas with restricted turning and U-Turns will be evaluated for left turn movements.
  • Access management for the corridor was recommended by SCDOT to improve safety and traffic flow.

Additional Resources

SCDOT Access Management Standards, Manuals, & Information

 

Traffic Signals

Comments were received expressing concern over efficiency of traffic lights and signals timing along the project corridor. Many comments asked for additional left-turn arrows at intersections.

  • Project design includes signal coordination and optimization using traffic and historical crash data, aimed to enhance safety throughout the corridor. Project engineers will be examining intersections in greater detail as the project continues into the next phase.
  • The Oakbrook Area alternatives address and seek to improve traffic at the Ladson Road and Old Trolley Road intersections. Specific information will be available once the preferred alternative is chosen.

Additional Resources 

SCDOT Traffic Engineering Guidelines: Traffic Signal Operations

 

Noise

Comments expressing concern over increased noise during construction and after completion were received. Many comments requested noise barriers to protect neighborhoods like Kings Grant.

  • A noise analysis will be conducted for the entire corridor in accordance with the SCDOT Traffic Noise Abatement Policy, which implements the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Noise Standards (23 CFR Part 772).
  • Study findings will be shared with the public, and noise abatement measures will be installed when warranted in accordance with SCDOT and FHWA criteria.

Additional Resources 

SCDOT Traffic Noise Abatement Policy (2023)

 

Bicyclist/Pedestrian Infrastructure 

Comments requesting the inclusion of and updates to multimodal infrastructure and accommodations throughout the project corridor were received. Mid-block crossings were requested near Ashley Phosphate Road.

  • Preliminary design includes a multi-use path on the northeastern side of Dorchester Road and a sidewalk on the southwestern side, both designed to meet ADA standards.
  • ADA-compliant crosswalks will be provided at all signalized intersections.
  • This project is being designed to align with Dorchester County’s Complete Streets initiative to improve multimodal connectivity and community access to provide safe and efficient transportation options for all.

Additional Resources

Dorchester County - Complete Streets Ordinance

 

Public Transportation

Comments requesting improvements to existing bus infrastructure were received. Specific requests included dedicated bus lanes, improved pedestrian connections, and ADA-compliant sidewalks near stops.

  • The project will not provide separate bus lanes; however, the project team is coordinating with the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) and the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) to review existing bus stops along the corridor.
  • Potential improvements, based on site assessments and accessibility needs, may include:
    • ADA-compliant pedestrian connections, landing pads, and benches
    • Stop and shelter relocation beyond intersections for improved safety
    • Addition of amenities (bike racks, trash receptacles, etc.)
  • Bus stops under review:
    • STOP ID 351: Dorchester Road/Archdale Boulevard
    • STOP ID 394: Dorchester Road/Franchise Street
    • STOP ID 407: Dorchester Road/Patriot Boulevard
    • STOP ID 378: Dorchester Road/Park Forest Parkway
    • STOP ID 368: Dorchester Road/Park Forest Parkway

Additional Resources

CARTA - Accessiblity 

 

Flooding/Drainage

Comments noting concern over how the project will impact or address existing flooding and drainage issues along the project corridor were received. Locations mentioned include near Eagle Creek, Old Trolley Road, Westcott Boulevard and the Kings Grant neighborhood.

  • The design team is developing roadway drainage improvements in conjunction with roadway widening. Existing locations of regular flooding and drainage outfalls will be evaluated for improvements as part of this process.
  • Potential improvements may include:
    • Addition of drainage structures such as drop inlets, catch basins, and outfalls
    • Addition of roadway drainage crossings with pipes, box culverts, and/or bridges
  • The Dorchester Road Improvements Project will cross existing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Civil Works projects including Sawmill Branch and Eagle Creek which will require additional coordination with USACE during project development.
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regulated streams have been identified in the project area, and coordination has begun regarding these.

Additional Resources

Dorchester County Floodplain Management Program

 

Motorist Behavior/Enforcement

Comments expressing concern over motorist behavior and the use of adjacent neighborhoods as cut-throughs along the project corridor were received. Comments also called for stricter law enforcement to curb speeding and penalize motorists blocking intersections.

  • While roadway improvements cannot control behaviors, design features such as controlled access and dedicated turn lanes can help reduce collision risks.
  • The proposed improvements aim to alleviate congestion, which should reduce the incentive for use of neighborhoods as cut-throughs.
  • Requests for increased enforcement will be shared with the appropriate local agencies.

Additional Resources

Dorchester County Sheriff's Office 

 

Right-Of-Way Impacts

Comments expressing concern over the potential impact of the project on existing residences and businesses along the project corridor were received.

  • The design team is continuing to evaluate opportunities to reduce right-of-way (ROW) impacts and minimize relocations where possible.
  • Any ROW acquisition deemed necessary will adhere to SCDOT ROW policies and the Uniform Relocation Assistance & Real Property Acquisition Policies Act (49 CFR Part 24).
  • If a property is directly impacted, the owner will be contacted directly by a member of the ROW team during the ROW acquisition phase to discuss the specifics. Property owners are entitled to just compensation through a third-party appraisal and review process in accordance with state and federal laws.

Additional Resources

SCDOT ROW Manuals

Uniform Relocation Assistance & Real Property Acquisition Act (1970)

 

Project Timeline

Comments expressing frustration with the anticipated duration and completion date of the project were received.

  • Project development prior to construction includes survey and data collection, environmental studies, detailed design, permitting, ROW acquisition (if necessary), utility relocation, and bidding. Dorchester County chooses to engage the public as early in the project development process as possible. This project is still in the preliminary stages of development, and the level of detail and data necessary to properly design a project of this magnitude takes time.
  • The project team is working through these steps as efficiently as possible, and project updates will be shared through the project website.
  • Dorchester County is exploring innovative project delivery methods to accelerate project completion.

Additional Resources

Dorchester Road Improvements Project - Process & Schedule 

 

Project Funding

Comments expressing concern over the source of funding for this project were received.

  • This project is currently funded through the Dorchester County Transportation Sales Tax, which County voters approved to continue in 2022. This 1% sales and use tax will be collected for 15 years, or until $735 million has been collected. $700 million of the funds are allocated towards transportation improvements, and the remaining $35 million is allocated to greenbelt initiatives. For more information about how projects are selected, visit About → FAQ on the program page, linked below.
  • Program progress and spending is updated monthly on the project website linked below. Transparency is of utmost priority in all phases of the project.
  • The County is actively seeking additional state and federal funds to supplement sales tax funds. All activities are being performed to maintain state and federal funding eligibility.

Additional Resources

Dorchester Road Improvements Project

Dorchester County Greenbelt Master Plan (2024)

Dorchester County Transportation Sales Tax Program - About

 

Project Extension

Comments requesting the extension of this project beyond the existing area were received, as well as concerns related to sections along Dorchester Road managed by Charleston County (see link below). These comments and concerns have been shared with Charleston County.

  • Project limits were identified during development of the Transportation Sales Tax referendum and further refined through traffic studies and alternatives analysis.
  • Charleston County is working on a project widening Dorchester Road, funded through the Charleston County Transportation Sales Tax. This will begin at Michaux Parkway and end at the Dorchester County line. Coordination between the counties is ongoing and will continue to ensure that projects align.

Additional Resources

Charleston County - Dorchester Road Corridor Improvements

 

Area Growth & Development 

Comments were received expressing concerns with rapid development in the area and its potential impact on traffic congestion and quality of life for residents.

  • Roadway design traffic projections employed a 2050 project design year to ensure capacity meets long-term growth projections and demand along the corridor.
  • SCDOT traffic count data and BCDCOG travel demand modeling were used to produce expected traffic counts, population and household projections, and travel times and patterns to aid in traffic congestion management.

Additional Resources

Dorchester Road Improvements Project - Alternatives & Traffic Data
SCDOT - Traffic Counts
BCDCOG Data - Travel Demand Modeling
Dorchester County Comprehensive Plan (2023)

 

Oakbrook Area Alternatives

Four alternatives for roadway improvements in the Oakbrook area of the project corridor were developed by the project team and presented to the public. Comment forms allowed respondents to indicate a preferred alternative. 250 respondents indicated a preference for an alternative.

Pie chart of Oakbrook Area alternative preferences: Alternative 1A 3%, Alternative 1B 13%, Alternative 2 31%, and Alternative 3 53%

  • Alternative 1A & 1B: Most comments regarding these alternatives stated that, though these options are less costly and impactful, they are a short-term fix with limited long-term benefits.
  • Alternative 2: Many comments expressed strong support for a flyover/overpass, but concerns were presented regarding vehicles merging, pedestrian safety, and noise impacts.
  • Alternative 3: While most comments expressed support for this alternative, some commenters expressed opposition to roundabouts. Those in support of roundabouts remarked that they increase traffic flow, while those opposed to roundabouts expressed concern over local driver education and familiarity with roundabouts for safe and efficient use.

 

 

 

Additional Resources

Dorchester Road Improvements Project - Alternatives Display
Dorchester Road Improvements Project - Alternatives Video
SCDOT - Roundabouts: What, Why, Safety, Air Quality, Aesthetics

 

Next Steps 

  • Based on public input, evaluation of traffic operations, and preliminary impact analysis, the County intends to further develop Oakbrook area Alternative 3 (interchange with roundabouts) as part of the Dorchester Road Improvements Project. This alternative will be further refined based on public input to minimize impacts to the human and natural environment.
  • A second public information meeting is expected to be held in the summer of 2026 to present the refined design for additional public input.

Still have questions?

Email the project team 

To stay up to date on the Dorchester Road Improvements Project:

 

Dorchester County

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