DESCRIPTION: J. Bragg Consulting has been selected by Charleston County for three different on-call contracts for Transportation Development, Transportation Sales Tax Allocation, and Charleston County Transportation Committee Related Projects as follows:

J. Bragg Consulting has been selected by Charleston County for three different on-call contracts for Transportation Development, Transportation Sales Tax Allocation, and Charleston County Transportation Committee Related Projects as follows:

5304-19C IDC Transportation Development involved the following two projects:

1. S-1226 (Shadow Lane) Intersection Improvements: The project as originally proposed by the City of North Charleston was to provide a dedicated right turn lane from Shadow Lane onto US 78; however, the County’s initial assessment is to extend the through/right turn lane to Baldwin Road thereby providing more left turn storage and allowing right turning vehicles access to the through/right turn lane. It was also noted, based on the site visit, that the left turns queued beyond Baldwin Road. In addition, there is no dedicated left turn phase/signal which required the left turning vehicles to yield to right/through vehicles on Elms Center Road.  It is also assumed US 78 will not be affected at this time and any recommended improvements would be incorporated with a future project on US 78.

The initial traffic analysis to provide two lanes widths to the Baldwin Road radius, thereby creating additional left turn storage, did not show any/minimal operational improvements.  The existing through and right turn volumes are similar, and a single through blocks the right turn volume.  The best option to improve the operations is to provide two lane widths to Baldwin Road radius, creating additional left turn storage, and constructing a separate right turn lane.  The County has agreed to this option. The project has been designed to minimize right-of-way acquisitions while eliminating all impacts to an existing stormwater pond.

Following an early coordination meeting with SCDOT, the radius return from the right turn lane onto US 78 will be improved to accommodate a WB-50 which involves relocating one traffic signal pole.  The intersection alignment is improved to meet current standards for an “off-set” alignment with Elms Center Road.

An SCDOT Encroachment Permit and City of North Charleston’s MS4 land disturbance permit will be prepared and coordinated with the respective agencies. Subconsultants have completed the surveys and are developing the traffic analysis, and a final traffic study has been submitted. Subconsultants have completed the survey and traffic analysis, including final traffic study.

J. Bragg Consulting, as part of a contract under the Charleston County Transportation Development IDC, is responsible for the overall project management and preliminary and final construction plans for improvements to S-1226 (Shadow Lane) at its intersection with US 78. The project was in the preliminary design phase when it was placed on hold due to funding constraints. 

2. SC 61 W. Ashley Bikeway Improvements: To improve the existing W. Ashley Bikeway at-grade crossing on SC 61 (St. Andrews Boulevard), the County coordinated with SCDOT to provide a wider sidewalk from the bikeway to the S-81 (Sycamore Avenue) signalized intersection. From the intersection, new pavement markings and signs would direct bicyclists to the S-1977 (Battery Avenue) at-grade crossing. 

J. Bragg Consulting is performing project management, pathway and drainage design, coordinating with SCDOT to obtain an encroachment permit and City/County for MS4 permit.  J. Bragg Consulting is also coordinating with subconsultants for survey, utility coordination, and traffic signal design.

J. Bragg Consulting provided pavement marking & sign plans, traffic control plans, final quantities and construction cost estimate, raised pathway details, project/plan details and sheets, project specifications and supplemental technical specifications, construction cost estimate, SC DHEC Notice of Intent for land disturbance, right-of-way exhibit, and coordinated with the subconsultants on their respective tasks. An SCDOT Encroachment Permit was obtained.  The project also complies with SC DHEC Automatic NPDES Permit Coverage and City of Charleston’s MS4. R/W was also acquired on 2 tracts for SCDOT’s signal as existing poles were outside of the present R/W. 

For 5389-19C IDC CTC, these two projects have been designed and submitted to the County:

1. International Boulevard Intersection Improvement: The project involves a new right turn lane from International Boulevard onto Tanger Outlet Boulevard. New right of way/slope permissions were required from 1 property owner and the right of way (R/W) acquisition has been completed. The R/W acquisition also required coordination with the City of North Charleston for a land swap. Final construction plans have been submitted to the County along with a City of North Charleston Encroachment Permit.

J. Bragg Consulting was responsible for developing construction plans for the new right turn lane which involved coordinating with the subconsultant for the traffic analysis. Based on the right turn volumes and analysis, a longer right turn was discussed. Two options were presented: 1) 200-ft storage with 180-ft taper and R/W from 1 property, and 2) 250-ft storage with 180-ft taper and R/W from 2 properties while avoiding existing parking spaces. The County selected the first option. This required coordinating with the property owner for the closure of one driveway closest to the intersection radius, acquisition of new right of way, slope and drainage structure permissions since the widening affected 2 of their existing catchbasins requiring new ones to be installed. The new drainage was designed to avoid existing utilities. Also, signal plans were developed for the right turn lane and required the installation of a new mast arm since the existing mast arm could not be retained. The design also avoided the Tanger Outlet marque sign. 

J. Bragg Consulting prepared final construction plans to include plan and profile sheets, pavement marking & sign plans, traffic control plans, signal plans, quantities, etc. Final construction cost estimate and specification package with project specific specifications were developed and submitted.  An encroachment permit was obtained from the City of North Charleston.

2. Old Towne Road Shared-use Path: A new 10-ft path is proposed approximately 400 LF south of Old Town Plantation Road to Charlestowne Drive/Donahue Drive intersection, and it will connect to other planned improvements. The wetland and OCRM critical areas were delineated and the project has been designed to eliminate impacts. Construction plans have been revised based on coordination with the neighborhood at Donahue Drive. Final plans and permits have been submitted to the County.

5511-17C IDC Transportation Sales Tax involved the following projects: 

1. US 52 (E. Bay Street) Sidewalk Improvements: The project involves approximately 300LF of new 5-ft sidewalk connecting an existing sidewalk to the sidewalks at the Charlotte Street intersection. The existing sidewalk at the Charlotte Street intersection will be replaced to provide an improved ADA ramp and a crosswalk will be installed on Charlotte Street. Another section of 5‐ft sidewalk will be replaced as it is not ADA compliant. 

The sidewalk was designed to remain within the present right of way and retain an existing brick wall located at the present right of way. The sidewalk grade was also set for ADA compliance when crossing an existing driveway while meeting SCDOT’s driveway profile standards. Likewise, the ADA ramp at Charlotte Street intersection required additional details to meet ADA compliance due to grade changes while maintaining the existing brick wall. Since the project is within the City of Charleston’s jurisdiction, the project was submitted to them for review and approval and includes details for installation of granite curb and horsetrack driveway. Also an existing drop inlet will be converted to a junction box and a new Type 16 catchbasin installed with the granite curb. The project was also submitted to SCDOT for the encroachment permit and SCDHEC-OCRM General Coastal Zone Consistency Determination. It also complies with SCDHEC’s automatic coverage for land disturbance. Final construction plans and permits have been submitted to the County. 

2. South Rhett Avenue at Bexley Street Intersection Evaluation: Three intersection alternatives were evaluated at a “6‐legged” intersection comprising of South Rhett Avenue, Bexley Street, Holmes Avenue, and Rugheimer Avenue to improve its operations. It is also approximately 200 FT north of CSX railroad and approximately 280 FT south of Mosstree Road intersection. The alternatives evaluated were:

• Alternative 1 – Add pavement markings and signage to existing intersection
• Alternative 2 – Remove approach legs from intersection and divert traffic volumes
• Alternative 3 – Convert intersection to roundabout control

J. Bragg Consulting developed the conceptual plans for the three alternatives and collaborated with our traffic engineering consultant on the analysis. Since the project is located within the City of North Charleston, specifically the Park Circle area, they were partial to Alternative 3. Alternatives 1 and 2 were found viable and required no or minimized right of way impacts, respectively. Alternative 3 was determined not as immediately viable given current constraints/conflicts and the stated general design assumptions.  It could become a potentially viable alternative if all primary constraints/conflicts (Right-of-Way, rail proximity, adjacent intersection proximity, etc.) can be resolved with an acceptable design (to include all six approach legs) which adheres to all currently accepted guidelines/regulations and meets the approval of the primary permitting agency (SCDOT).