Public works outlines $1 billion+ roads work under transportation sales tax; RFQ for public outreach to be advertised

Public Works Director Eric Adams told the Finance Committee the roads portion of Charleston County’s transportation sales tax has funded more than $1 billion in work across resurfacing, sidewalks, bike/ped and larger bonded projects — and that a wave of construction in the next fiscal years may require borrowing to maintain schedule.

Adams summarized program results and upcoming work: roughly 55 miles of sidewalk, 16 miles of multi‑use path and 12 miles of bike lane installed under the program; nearly 880 miles of treated roads under the pavement management/resurfacing program; more than 492,000 tons of asphalt placed across projects; and significant drainage installations. Adams said bonded projects and the 2016 feature projects (including Palmetto Commerce Interchange and Main Road Segment A) have shifted in schedule because of environmental permitting, utility relocation and right‑of‑way issues.

Adams described cash‑flow realities: the sales‑tax revenue stream continues through June 2027 but project expenditures extend beyond that date; the county has borrowed previously and will likely time borrowing to construction schedules to avoid excess interest costs. He noted that $261 million has been borrowed on prior programs and the county will pay approximately $102 million in interest on those borrowings. Adams said bids are tightening in the marketplace, with fewer contractors bidding on projects and some bids arriving well above engineer estimates, which has required combining proximate projects to attract competitive bids.

Adams listed near‑term projects: Palmetto Commerce Interchange (about $90 million, underway), Main Road Segment A (largest county project; design‑build, public meeting scheduled), Glen McConnell Parkway (completed, $20.5 million), and several James Island intersection and Savannah Highway projects. He said Highway 41 remains in environmental review with Army Corps coordination and project managers estimate a Corps decision this summer.

Adams asked permission to advertise an RFQ for public outreach, education and engagement — a scope the county’s public information office would lead in coordination with Public Works and IT. The procurement and legal departments have reviewed the RFQ and staff said the RFQ was ready to advertise; council members asked staff to post the presentation and materials to county web and social channels to improve public awareness.

Ending

There was no committee vote on capital programs; staff said procurement is ready to advertise the RFQ for public outreach and that the RFQ will be returned to council for award after the qualifications evaluation process.