[July 23, 2026]
On July 21, Charleston County Council voted in favor of three amendments to the Transportation Sales Tax (TST) project list (see below), then approved final reading of the ordinance and ballot question. Councilmembers Boykin, Darby, Honeycutt, Kobrovsky, Pryor, Sass and Wehrman were the “yes” votes. Councilmember Moody was the “no” vote, and Councilmember Middleton was absent.
At the beginning of the TST process, Charleston Moves suggested 64 bicycle and pedestrian projects across the county. The results of our persistence are in the final TST proposal, with 38% of our suggestions either specifically named or potentially under consideration within other projects. 23% of our suggestions are being studied via other funding sources now. And many more bike/ped projects that we did not list could be constructed as components of other TST infrastructure projects. We consider this a WIN!
We have spent countless hours digging into the details and facts; developing a sensible, balanced and leveraged plan; identifying shortcomings and areas of ambiguity; and continually coordinating with elected officials, staff and community members. The product of all this work has led to a program that:
- is fully inclusive of “complete streets” language;
- provides dedicated funding for a Better North Bridge;
- funds public transit at an adequate level;
- incorporates the development of a countywide bike/ped plan, with implementation dollars;
- earmarks an increased annual funding pot specifically for bike/ped projects.
We are particularly pleased that Council added our “complete streets” language through an amendment at last night’s meeting. Thank you to everyone who took the time to email council members about it! This is an important addition because it assures us that multi-modal access will be considered across ALL projects funded by the TST. While a very simple ask, it provides an advantage once projects begin development, and we step in to advocate for inclusion of robust multi-modal infrastructure. Regardless of how each of us gets around, we will all be paying into the tax so it’s important for it to benefit all modes.
Other amendments made to the final project list include:
- The allocation of $17 million for a noise wall along I-26 for the Palmetto Commerce Interchange by removing the Ladson Road/Miles Jamison Road intersection project and the Railroad Overpass Preliminary Engineering studies for Azalea Drive/Stromboli Avenue and Noisette Boulevard/Virginia Avenue
- Shifting $2 million from implementation of the Downtown Public Transit Route Study (now funded at $23 million) to the City of Charleston’s Bike and Pedestrian Subcategory for Huger Street bike/ped improvements (now funded at $22 million and labeled “City of Charleston SS4A/Rethink Folly/Huger St.”)
These are good changes to the overall proposal given the following:
- the noise wall has been requested by the adjacent neighborhood for decades (and frankly points to why we shouldn’t be widening highways near or through communities);
- the intersection project that was scrapped was not requested by citizens or local governments, half of it is located outside of Charleston County, and it’s part of an active SCDOT safety project (we’ve been suggesting removing it from the TST list for months);
- the Railroad Overpass Preliminary Engineering proposals were not favorably received by neighbors;
- implementation of the Downtown Public Transit Route Study can still be accomplished at $23 million;
- Huger Street is a vital east-west corridor for people on bikes and foot, and was included on Mayor Cogswell’s original prioritization list.
SO WHAT’S NEXT?
Charleston County staff will submit the finalized language to the South Carolina Election Commission, and the referendum will appear on the November ballot for Charleston County voters. You can review the final list and allocations HERE.
And county staff are finalizing a transportation project dashboard for the TST. We are very excited about this level of transparency, and having regular access to project details and progress tracking. We’ll be sure to let you know when it is live!
