Dorchester County, South Carolina, is moving forward with plans to expand and improve Wescott Boulevard using funds from the county’s Transportation Sales Tax Program. The project, set to break ground in 2027, will widen the road and modernize key intersections to support current and future traffic demand.
According to project documents, traffic projections show that without improvements, congestion along Wescott Boulevard will worsen significantly, causing severe delays at intersections. The corridor also maintains a higher crash rate than the statewide average, with 41 crashes recorded over a five-year period, according to county officials. Project officials have also identified pedestrian and cyclist accessibility as a key consideration due to Wescott Boulevard’s proximity to multiple schools.
Design plans show a 12-foot shared-use path on one side of the corridor and a five-foot sidewalk on the opposite side along with two travel lanes in each direction. The design also incorporates curb and gutter, enclosed drainage and a landscaped median to enhance roadway safety and aesthetics. The improvements will extend along Wescott Boulevard from an eastern boundary at Patriot Boulevard to a western boundary at Ballantine Drive.
The Wescott Boulevard project aligns with broader transportation planning efforts throughout the county to accommodate growth and enhance infrastructure safety. Funding for the project comes from the one-percent transportation sales tax, approved by voters in 2022. The Wescott project carries an estimated budget of $15.6 million, with about $432,000 expended to date. It is currently in the concept design refinement stage.
County officials hosted a public information meeting on Oct.9 to share details about the Wescott Boulevard improvements and gather community feedback. Opportunities for public comment remain open through Nov. 9. As design refinements continue, county officials plan to release additional updates on project timelines, construction milestones and contractor opportunities through the county’s Our Path to Progress website.
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