Public Meeting #1 Summary
Stallsville Loop

• Construction is anticipated to begin in mid-2027 and take approximately 15 months to complete.
• Residents and businesses will be notified of major changes, or disruptions through general project communications, public notices, and/or posted signage. Construction phasing and traffic impacts will be shared in advance to help minimize disruption.
• Daytime road closures are not anticipated.

• The general project limits were identified during development of the Dorchester County Transportation Sales Tax referendum and further refined through completion of the project-specific traffic study and conceptual design alternatives.
• Intersection improvements at Bacons Bridge Road are not included with the project's scope and were not identified as a project under the current Sales Tax Program; however, it may be considered for future programs.

• The decision to propose a roundabout or a traffic signal is based on traffic volume, safety, delay reduction, and long-term operational efficiency.
• Roundabouts have been shown to significantly reduce serious injury crashes, improve intersection efficiency during peak hours, and accommodate continuous movement, especially in congested corridors.
• Implementation of a roundabout alternate minimizes impacts to adjacent properties and provides access to high volume commercial properties.

• The decision to propose a roundabout or a traffic signal is based on traffic volume, safety, delay reduction, and long-term operational efficiency.
• Roundabouts have been shown to significantly reduce serious injury crashes, improve intersection efficiency during peak hours, and accommodate continuous movement, especially in congested corridors.
• Implementation of a roundabout alternate minimizes impacts to adjacent properties and provides access to high volume commercial properties.

• A traffic analysis was conducted to determine the projected turning volumes at the intersection. Turn lanes were determined based on capacity and required storage lengths.

• The typical section and the placement of the SUP on one side of the roadway was recommended during project development to balance impacts to adjacent properties, limit number of roadway crossings, improve safety, and enhance bike and pedestrian connectivity. Typically, the preference is to keep the SUP on one side of the roadway to encourage recreational users on one side and intermittent connectivity of pedestrians via a sidewalk on the other side. The SUP on one side of the road also simplifies crossings at signalized intersections, has fewer conflicts at driveways, and minimizes impacts to residential homes and other roadside features.

• No. SUPs are designed for non-motorized users such as pedestrians and bicyclists. ATVs, golf carts, and other motorized vehicles are not permitted.

• Implementation of a roundabout in the corridor will provide traffic calming elements to help reduce speed within the corridor.
• Safety improvements include:
  • Design includes a curb and gutter on the outside that tends to slow traffic compared to the open shoulder condition that exists today.
  • Removing obstructions within 16 feet of the travel way and providing clear sight lines for vehicles turning right and left from sideroads.

• The project team will coordinate closely with local emergency services throughout construction to ensure that emergency access is maintained at all times.
• Construction phasing and detours will be planned to minimize disruptions to response times and critical access routes.

• Yes. The project assesses existing drainage and will address stormwater conveyance within the right-of-way to include new grading to channel offsite surface waters to stormwater inlets or the existing outfalls.
• A new stormwater detention pond is proposed to mitigate runoff increases and address water quality.

• The proposed stormwater management improvements include an enclosed stormwater system of curb inlets and pipe that will meet SCDOT capacity standards and maintain existing outfall locations. 

• The County is committed to preserving grand trees and maintaining natural buffers wherever feasible; however, some trees and vegetation will need to be removed within the construction limits. Any trees removed as part of the roadway construction will be mitigated in accordance with Dorchester County Tree Ordinances.

• A noise analysis is currently being conducted in accordance with applicable federal and state guidelines to determine whether the project will result in increased traffic noise for adjacent development.
• If the analysis shows that noise impacts exceed acceptable thresholds, noise abatement measures, such as noise walls, will be considered where feasible and reasonable.
• Additional information will be shared once the analysis is complete.

•  If acquisition is necessary, property owners will be contacted directly by members of the right of way team. 

• Per Dorchester County's Zoning and Land Development Standards 04-13, Section 5.4.8 (Setbacks from Designated Corridors) requires developments to be constructed with setbacks and bufferyards measured from the future right-of-way established for designated transportation projects. 

• Concept plans presented at the Public Information Meetings show a high-level estimate of proposed improvements and future right-of-way locations. These plans are subject to change as the design is revised and as the County works to minimize impacts through further development of the engineering plans.

• As the design is further developed, right-of-way plans will need to be approved by the SCDOT. Once approved, the SCDOT will issue the County authorization to move forward with right-of-way acquisition. It is important to remember that right-of-way is not only needed for road improvements, but also other infrastructure improvements that are included in these projects such as the construction of sidewalks or shared use paths, drainage improvements, and utility relocations.

• If right-of-way needs to be obtained from your property due to a transportation improvement project, a right‑of‑way agent contracted through Dorchester County will contact you directly to explain the formal process and next steps at that time. To learn more about your rights and available resources, you may review Highways and You Brochure. ​​​​​​​

Full Property Acquisition (Full Take)

In some cases, a transportation project may require the purchase of an entire property. When this occurs, the right‑of‑way agent will make an offer for the fair market value of the property based on an appraisal. If relocation is necessary, residents are eligible for relocation assistance benefits such as help finding a new home, reimbursement for closing costs, moving costs, and, when applicable, supplemental payments to ensure access to comparable replacement housing. All services are provided at no cost to the property owner or tenant, and the goal is to make the transition as smooth and equitable as possible. Any resident who must relocate due to a Transportation Sales Tax project is protected under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.). These federal protections guarantee fair and consistent treatment, just compensation, and assistance during the moving and relocation process.

Partial Property Acquisition (Partial Take)

Portions of private properties (typically referred to as strip takes) may need to be acquired in order to construct and maintain the transportation project.  This area could be used for widening, drainage, or utility improvements and could be purchased as an easement or in Fee Simple. In these situations, you will receive compensation both for the land acquired and for any impacts to the remaining property, if applicable. When this occurs, the right‑of‑way agent will make an offer for the fair market value of the property based on an appraisal. The right‑of‑way agent will review the appraisal with you and explain how the value was determined. If adjustments to driveways, landscaping, or access are required, the project team will work with you to minimize disruptions.

• The re-alignment of Stallsville Loop will meet Old Trolley Road at the existing intersection with Miles Jamison Road. The future Miles Jamison Improvements project will be accommodated within the intersection so future intersection improvements require only minor adjustments to pavement marking and signalization. The traffic analysis for the Stallsville Loop project was coordinated with the analysis for the Miles Jamison Road improvements project as well.