DESCRIPTION: J. Bragg Consulting (JBC) was 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 was to extend the through/right turn lane to Baldwin Road thereby providing more left turn storage to allow right turning vehicles access to the through/right turn lane. JBC 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 was also assumed US 78 would not be affected 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, showed 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 was to provide two lane widths to Baldwin Road radius, creating additional left turn storage, and constructing a separate right turn lane. The County agreed to this option and the project has been designed to minimize right-of-way acquisitions while eliminating all impacts to an existing stormwater pond.

Through early coordination with SCDOT, SCDOT agreed the design should accommodate a WB-50 from the right turn lane onto US 78 which involves relocating one traffic signal pole. The intersection alignment was also improved to meet current standards for an “off-set” alignment with Elms Center Road.

The project was placed on hold between spring 2020 to spring 2025 while the County prioritized funding for a corridor improvement project. As of 2025, the County has decided to proceed with the design and construction of this project.

RESPONSIBILITIES: JBC is performing project management, utility coordination, roadway and drainage design, and permitting to develop preliminary, right of way (R/W), and construction plans for improvements to S-1226 (Shadow Lane) at its intersection with US 78. From NTP through 2020, JBC completed conceptual and preliminary plans, preliminary construction cost estimate and coordinated with subconsultants to complete the traffic analysis and survey. JBC also coordinated with the County and SCDOT on the proposed design and traffic analysis. Since restarting the project in 2025, JBC has prepared right of way plans and 95% construction plans including pavement marking & sign, traffic control, and erosion control plans. We have also prepared and submitted the MS4 permit to the City of North Charleston. We are performing ongoing coordination with the County, City, and SCDOT as well as with the subconsultant for the signal design, and we have updated the construction cost estimate. Cornerstone Surveying & Engineering provided surveying. 

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.

RESPONSIBILITIES: JBC performed project management and roadway/pathway and drainage design to develop preliminary and final construction plans. JBC also coordinated with subconsultants for survey, utility coordination, and traffic signal design as well as the City of Charleston, County and SCDOT. The signal design required extensive coordination with the city and utilities for the location of poles and upgrades for pedestrian and bicycle enhancements and two poles required new right of way as they were outside of SCDOT’s present right of way.

JBC also developed pavement marking & sign plans, traffic control plans, final quantities and construction cost estimate, raised crosswalk details, project specifications and supplemental technical specifications, and two right-of-way exhibits. JBC obtained a SCDOT Encroachment Permit and documented compliance with city’s MS4 and SC DHEC’s automatic NPDES permit coverage. 

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

1. International Boulevard Intersection Improvement: The project involved a new right turn lane from International Boulevard onto Tanger Outlet Boulevard to address the operations and capacity for the signalized intersection. Due to the high volume of right turn vehicles co-mingling in the outside through/right turn lane, vehicles would significantly queue between this intersection and the W. Montague Avenue intersection during the AM and PM peak hours.

The County’s initial assumption was a standard-length right turn lane constructed within the present right of way; however, from JBC’s initial field review, it was noted that new right of way (R/W) would be required based on the existing topography and adjacent development.

From the initial traffic analysis and based on the right turn volumes, 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 and slope and drainage structure permissions since the widening affected 2 of their existing catch basins requiring new ones to be installed. 

There were also significant utilities within the project area, and by coordinating with the utilities, JBC designed the new drainage system to avoid the 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. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: JBC performed project management, utility coordination, and roadway and drainage design to develop conceptual, preliminary and construction plans for the new right turn lane. JBC coordinated with subconsultants for the survey, traffic analysis and signal design, and R/W acquisition.  JBC also coordinated with the City of North Charleston, County, and the property owner during the preliminary design phase prior to starting the R/W acquisition process. 

JBC developed the pavement marking & sign, traffic control, and erosion control plans; quantities and construction cost estimate; and specification package with project specific specifications for the signal and decorative crosswalk. While R/W was required from 1 property, JBC prepared 2 R/W exhibits – 1 for new right of way along International Boulevard from the property owner and 1 for the City to quitclaim right of way along Tanger Outlet Boulevard to the property owner – for a land swap. Through on-going coordination with the city, JBC also obtained the encroachment permit and MS4 permit. Short Engineering & Consulting provided traffic studies and signal design.

2. Old Towne Road Shared-use Path: The original project was to replace an existing 5-ft sidewalk with a 10-ft shared-use path, approximately 600 LF, within the grassed area between SC 171 (Old Towne Road) and Ingram Road (local), beginning at the SC 171/Old Town Plantation Road (local) intersection and ending at SC 171/Charlestowne Drive (local)/Donahue Drive (local) intersection. A portion of the existing 5-ft sidewalk to be replaced is located within the Charles Towne Landing park. The project also required coordination with SCDOT, the City of Charleston, and the state park service. While designing the original project, the County requested to extend it to tie to another project for approximately 400 LF south of Old Town Plantation Road to Miles Drive intersection. The extension also required coordination with SCDOT and the City as well as USACE and OCRM. 

Although this is a short project, there were 3 major design elements for consideration: 1) delineated wetlands/critical area at a crossline pipe, 2) path alignment through state park entrance, and 3) existing drainage ditch and landscaping. JBC prepared 3 options for discussion, with all avoiding the wetlands/critical area, but all affected the existing landscaping along Ingram Road to retain the drainage ditch:

• Option 1 – follows existing sidewalk alignment, with permission or right of way (R/W) from state park
• Option 2 – follows existing sidewalk with a minor alignment change to improve a curve for bicycles and requires permission or R/W from state park
• Option 3 – follows existing sidewalk with a major alignment change at the park entrance and does not require permission or R/W from state park

The County selected option 2 and JBC prepared preliminary plans. During the on-site review, other County representatives discussed the removal of the landscaping and the potential issues the City and the neighborhood may have with its removal. JBC presented two alternatives: 1) retain the landscaping by installing a closed drainage system or 2) replace the landscaping, but these were not feasible due to cost. Since the County had another project in the vicinity requiring coordination with the neighborhood, this project was placed on hold so the County could perform the public involvement for both projects. 

Also, through coordination with SCDOT, SCDOT required a change to the alignment through the state park property, preferring the original Option 3 alignment at the park’s entrance by having the path cross at the intersection versus internal to the park’s entrance, even though there was no accident history with the sidewalk crossing. The option 3 alignment required revising concrete medians for the path and updating the existing signal for pedestrian signals. The project was also re-scoped based on the public involvement by the County to 1) retain the existing 5-ft sidewalk and landscaping along Ingram Road and 2) provide a connection from the 10-ft path to Ingram Road with signs designating Ingram Road as the bike route. It also required new R/W from the state park to improve the alignment for bicyclists for connection to Ingram Road.

RESPONSIBILITIES: JBC performed project management and roadway and drainage design to develop conceptual, preliminary and construction plans. JBC coordinated with subconsultants for the survey and R/W plat, signal design, and wetland/critical area delineation. JBC also coordinated with the County, City, SCDOT, and state park.

JBC also developed pavement marking & sign, traffic control, and erosion control plans; quantities and construction cost estimates; details to reconstruct the concrete medians and the park’s raised planted median. JBC also obtained the encroachment permit, obtained City approval for the project including MS4 permit, and coordinated with the subconsultant on the Coastal Zone Consistency approval. Red Bay Environmental provided wetlands delineation. 

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. 

JBC designed the sidewalk to remain within the present right of way while retaining an existing brick wall located at the present right of way. The sidewalk grade was also set for ADA compliance when crossing an existing steep driveway while meeting SCDOT’s driveway profile standards. Likewise, JBC developed additional details for the ADA ramp at Charlotte Street intersection 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, JBC coordinated with the city for their review and approval and incorporated details for installation of granite curb and horsetrack driveway. Also, JBC designed the drainage to retain the existing system while converting an existing drop inlet to a junction box and installing a new Type 16 catch basin with the granite curb.  JBC coordinated with and obtained a SCDOT encroachment permit and SCDHEC-OCRM General Coastal Zone Consistency Determination. JBC also documented compliance with SCDHEC’s automatic coverage for land disturbance. In addition, JBC coordinated with the County to address their constructability comments. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: JBC performed project management and roadway and drainage design to develop conceptual, preliminary and construction plans. JBC coordinated with the subconsultant for survey and the stakeholders – city, county, and SCDOT. JBC developed additional cross sections for the ADA ramps and driveway, incorporated granite curb and horsetrack details, included pavement markings with the plan sheet, created traffic control plans and top of curb profile, and incorporated erosion control information. 

2. South Rhett Avenue at Bexley Street Intersection Evaluation: Three intersection alternatives were evaluated at a “6‐legged” intersection comprising South Rhett Avenue, Bexley Street, Holmes Avenue, and Rugheimer Avenue to improve 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

Since the project is located within the City of North Charleston, specifically the Park Circle area, the city was 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 SCDOT. JBC also coordinated with the County on the diameter size of the roundabout, which was larger than a smaller urban roundabout due to the 6-legged intersection. In addition, JCB coordinated with the County and SCDOT on the design vehicle since a truck route study had previously been conducted.

RESPONSIBILITIES: JBC developed conceptual plans for the three alternatives and collaborated with our traffic engineering subconsultant on the analysis and the intersection evaluation documentation. JBC also coordinated with the County on the differences between a roundabout versus a traffic circle as well as a standard roundabout versus urban roundabout and provided e-mail documentation on the differences.