SCDOT Seeks Input at Public Hearing for I-526 at Long Point Road Interchange Improvements Project

In-person and Online Engagement Opportunities Available

CHARLESTON COUNTY, SC (April 17, 2023) – The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is looking for your input for the I-526 @ Long Point Road Interchange Improvements project public hearing through May 17, 2023. The public is encouraged to participate in the public hearing virtually and in-person. An in-person public hearing will take place on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Town Hall (100 Ann Edwards Lane, Mount Pleasant). However, you can visit the project website now through May 17, 2023 to review and make a comment on the Environmental Assessment and all public hearing materials. 

The in-person public hearing will include an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. where participants can ask questions one-on-one with SCDOT, and at 6 p.m. a formal presentation and verbal comment session will begin. For additional ease of participation, the formal presentation and verbal comment session will be broadcast live on the project website (www.526LCCLongPoint.com/publichearing). Viewers do not need to register in advance to watch the formal portion. However, to speak during the formal comment session (in-person or virtually), participants must sign up by 5:55 p.m. on May 2 at www.526LCCLongPoint.com/publichearing or at the in-person public hearing. Virtual participants making verbal comments will need to join the meeting through Zoom Webinar and will be provided instructions after signing up.

The purpose of the I-526 @ Long Point Road Interchange Improvements project is to improve the operations of the interchange and the I-526 mainline, and to reduce operational conflicts between local and port-related traffic. 

The purpose of this public hearing is to present the recommended preferred alternative for improving the I-526/Long Point Road interchange and the findings of the Environmental Assessment. Findings include potential impacts and a completed noise analysis. SCDOT is asking for input from the public and stakeholders. SCDOT representatives will also share project updates during the public hearing, including a plan to retain the existing operations at Long Point Road and Belle Hall Parkway. SCDOT updated plans for this intersection based on input from the local community, followed by further engineering analysis, with the goal of improving this interchange to best serve all users.

The public is encouraged to submit comments from April 17 to May 17, 2023. Comments may be submitted on the project website, by email to info@526LowcountryCorridor.com, or by mail (SCDOT, 955 Park Street, Columbia, SC 29202-0191).

A Spanish translator will be available at the public hearing, and materials are available in Spanish on the project website. To speak with an interpreter, please contact SCDOT at 803-724-5862 or toll-free at 888-468-8081. Para hablar con un intérprete, comuníquese con SCDOT al 803-724-5862 o gratis al 888-468-8081.

Persons with disabilities who may require special accommodations should contact Mrs. Betty Gray at 803-737-1395 or by email at GrayB@scdot.org. If you do not have access to the internet and would like to receive project information or make a written comment, contact SCDOT at 803-737-1200.

Comments must be postmarked or submitted electronically by May 17, 2023

^{About SCDOT}

^{The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is the state agency with oversight of South Carolina’s network of highways and bridges, including responsibilities such as planning, design, construction, financing, and roadway safety. To ensure the nation’s fourth-largest highway system is prepared to serve the needs of South Carolina’s growing economy and population, SCDOT has developed a Strategic 10-Year Plan that addresses improvements to the state’s highway and bridge systems. Learn more at scdot.org.}

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