Summerville, S.C. - Summerville, South Carolina is taking action on a long-anticipated road project aimed at improving Maple Street, a major thoroughfare in the town. The Summerville Town Council approved the $21 million contract for the Maple Street extension project on February 6th during a Finance Committee meeting.
The project is set to extend Maple Street from West Richardson Avenue in the downtown area to Nexton Parkway, and will include the widening of Maple Street from two to four lanes near Shamrock Drive, the installation of turn lanes at all approaches to US Highway 78, a new traffic signal at West Richardson Avenue, and a reconfiguration of the road's alignment from West Richardson to Parsons Road.
Traffic on Maple Street has been a concern for years, with even mid-morning congestion caused by the road being a two-way street. The Maple Street extension project has been in the works since 2015 and will be funded by the Dorchester County 1 percent sales tax, which was extended by voters last year.
The town of Summerville and Dorchester County will collaborate on the project, which is intended to alleviate congestion in the rapidly growing town. The population of Summerville has increased from 27,752 in 2000 to 50,915 in 2020, according to the US Census Bureau, and is projected to exceed 97,000 by 2030.
"The Maple Street Extension Project will help alleviate traffic congestion and improve safety," said Mayor Ricky Waring. Up to $11 million of the project will be funded by the town's midtown tax increment finance district funds, with the remaining costs being covered by Dorchester County sales tax referendum funds. Construction is set to begin in either April or May, with the goal of completion by spring 2025.