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Charleston County updates dozens of transportation projects; several bids rejected and some need carryover funding
Summary
Charleston County Public Works presented the Transportation Committee with an update on a broad portfolio of transportation‑sales‑tax projects, reporting a mix of large in‑design works and numerous smaller sidewalk and crossing projects—several of which drew no bids or bid prices above budget.
Charleston County Public Works presented a comprehensive update to the committee on county transportation‑sales‑tax projects that affect the city and nearby islands.
Mackenzie Kelly, engineering manager with Charleston County Public Works, reviewed projects ranging from in‑design megaprojects to small sidewalk contracts. Highlights included an intent to design and construct the Main Road Corridor/US‑17 interchange (a joint venture design contract referenced at $354,000,000 and currently in design and right‑of‑way coordination), and Maybank/Woodland Shores complete‑streets construction awarded to Gulfstream Construction at $3,600,000. Kelly said work on Maybank/Woodland Shores will begin in March with a 390‑day substantial‑completion window and noted a groundbreaking was held the morning of the meeting.
Kelly reported $1,000,000 in state funding for the Brownwoods Roundabout at River Road and said the county has recommended a design consultant and is beginning design. She detailed many smaller sidewalk, crossing and intersection projects (cost ranges from under $200,000 to multiple millions), noting several projects had previously been advertised with no bids or bids that exceeded budget. Examples: Folly Road bike and pedestrian improvements previously received one bid that was well over budget and will be re‑advertised; East Bay Street sidewalk has been advertised twice with no bids; Oceanic Street multi‑use path has been advertised three times with no bids or high bids and will need carryover funding; other projects were combined for rebidding.
On procurement challenges, the county discussed local bidders’ inability to meet bonding requirements for some projects. Staff said procurement will run training for smaller contractors to help them obtain bonding and allow those contractors to bid on projects under specified thresholds, using insurance in the interim for some smaller jobs.
Committee members asked about timelines and funding shortfalls. Kelly and other county staff gave anticipated advertisement and construction quarters for projects (many in second or third quarter 2025) and said some projects await SCDOT encroachment permits or right‑of‑way acquisition. Members encouraged outreach to contractors and expressed interest in accelerating projects where possible.
