Public Meeting #1 Summary 
Main Street (US 17A)

Public Meeting Summary

Dorchester County and the Town of Summerville wish to thank all residents who participated in the recent Public Information Meeting (PIM) for the Main Street Improvements Projects.

In addition to the in-person meeting, project-specific information was made available on Dorchester County’s Transportation Sales Tax website, allowing individuals to review materials and provide input at their convenience. Public comments were accepted via the website, mail, email, and in person at the PIM.

Meeting Handout     Environmental & Community Resources     Project Timeline     

Typical Sections     Roll Plots     *Additional Project Clarification 
                                                                                  *Additional information added 2/04/26

A total of 362 comments were received during the comment period, which ran from January 13 through February 13, 2026. We appreciate the community’s thoughtful feedback. A summary of the comments received has been posted for public review. The concerns raised have been heard and carefully considered, and the County is in the process of adjusting the project concept as a result of the input received. Responses to the common questions raised and more information about the changes to the project design will be made available to the public later this summer. The public is encouraged to review the posted information and remain engaged as updates are provided.

Overview

Dorchester County and the Town of Summerville hosted an in-person Public Information Meeting (PIM) for the Main Street Improvements Project on January 13, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Summerville Elementary School in the Marcia O’Brien Conference Center in Summerville, South Carolina. In addition, a project-specific website was hosted on DorchesterTransportation.com, allowing individuals to review materials and provide input at their convenience, thereby expanding access for those unable to attend in person.

Upon arrival, attendees were asked to sign in and received a project handout outlining the project purpose, proposed improvements, anticipated schedule, and instructions for submitting comments. Town of Summerville and Dorchester County staff and their representatives were stationed throughout the meeting room. Three display boards were arranged in stations around the perimeter of the room, showcasing the project location, environmental and community resources, and typical sections. Duplicate roll plots of the project design were set up on two sides of the room, displaying the proposed improvements for the entire project corridor.

Proposed Improvements

Dorchester County and the Town of Summerville propose improvements along US Highway 17A (US 17A/Main Street) from Carolina Avenue to US Highway 78 (US 78) to enhance the corridor, improve pedestrian safety and operations, strengthen corridor resiliency, and provide accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists. The Dorchester County portion of the project extends from Carolina Avenue to Luke Avenue. The Town of Summerville portion of the project extends from Luke Avenue to 5th North Street (US 78).

The proposed improvements for the Dorchester County project include:

• Add 10-foot-wide shared-use path
• Provide continuous 5-foot-wide sidewalk by enhancing existing and constructing new sidewalks as needed
• Add SHARROWS (markings on road to share lanes with bikers) where shared-use path cannot be accommodated
• Install curb and gutter with drainage improvements
•  Add landscaped medians throughout

The proposed improvements for the Town of Summerville project include:

• Add 10-foot-wide shared-use path
• Maintain existing 5-foot-wide sidewalk throughout
• Drainage improvements
• Streetscape improvements (landscaping, lighting, traffic signal upgrades)
• Add landscaped medians throughout
• Overhead to underground utility burial

Comments Received

The public was invited to submit comments through the project website, by mail, or in person at the PIM. A total of 362 comments were received during the comment period from January 13, 2026, through February 13, 2026, including a few that were received after the comment period. Most comments received were focused on identifying existing concerns or offering suggestions for improvements.

This section provides a general overview of the public comments received during the public comment period. Below are some common themes identified in the comments received:

Traffic Flow & Road Design

Access concerns emerged as one of the most frequently cited themes. Approximately 62% of commenters expressed concerns about how the proposed improvements may affect daily travel, residential and business access, emergency vehicle response times, and overall traffic operations with the presence of raised/landscaped medians, on-street parking, and curbs.

• Raised/Landscaped Medians: Approximately 56% of comments expressed concerns about the presence of raised medians or curbs restricting access for emergency vehicles and minimizing response times. Commenters were also concerned about raised medians reducing the ability for residents to make left turns and access their properties without making a U-turn. Commenters also stressed that removing travel lanes and shoulders for a median would hinder traffic flow and cause more congestion, not improve it.
• On-Street Parking: Approximately 6% of comments expressed concerns about on-street parking, including parallel and reverse parking spaces hindering access for emergency vehicles or causing overall congestion.

Existing Pedestrian and Cyclist Accommodations & Safety

Approximately 13% of comments focused on maintaining the existing sidewalks or adding crosswalks, crossings, or lighting

• SHARROWS (shared bike lanes): Approximately 2% of the comments had concerns about the shared bike lanes and were concerned it would be unsafe and recommended including physical barriers between the vehicles and the cyclists.
• Shared Use Path and Additional Sidewalks: Approximately 6% of the commenters expressed opposition to additional sidewalks and a shared-use path. They felt the existing facilities were sufficient. Additional safety measures were suggested, including:
  • Additional crosswalk locations or crossings for pedestrians and children walking to school and businesses (4% of comments).
  • Enhanced lighting at intersections and crosswalks (1% of comments).

Environmental & Community Impact

Approximately 9% of commenters raised concerns about environmental and community impact, and voiced interest in preserving the natural landscape, including trees, and maintaining the residential and historical character of Main Street. Maintaining trees and natural buffers, particularly around residences, was stressed. Some feared the improvements would turn Main Street into a busy thoroughfare like Nexton.

• Tree Loss: Approximately 5% expressed concern about the loss of existing trees, specifically pine trees from the proposed improvements.
• Planting Trees Approximately 4% of comments expressed opposition to planting palm/palmetto trees in the medians and along the corridor and encouraged planting other species of trees.

Utilities

Approximately 3% of commenters expressed a desire for the utilities throughout the corridor to be buried.

Five Points (Carolina Avenue)

Approximately 2% of comments expressed the desire for the Five Points area (Carolina Avenue) to be improved, including adding a roundabout at the intersection.

Overall Summary

• Approximately 8% of the comments were in general support of the project as presented.
• Approximately 76% of the comments were in general opposition to the project as presented at the public information meeting.
• Approximately 17% of commenters were neutral about the project as presented.