SCDOT hosts open house for 526 Lowcountry Corridor Project

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)- The South Carolina Department of Transportation project leaders held an open house event for people to come to learn more about the 526 Lowcountry Corridor Project.

526 is a 23-mile connection between West Ashley and Mount Pleasant that SCDOT has identified as one of the busiest highways in the state.

The purpose of the project is to widen the road and relieve the stress on drivers in the Lowcountry.

The project is in the design phase right now, and on Saturday, SCDOT held an open house to answer questions from the community.

“We’re hoping that folks come in and ask about our right-of-way process and the different programs we have starting up for our EJ mitigation. Some of those programs are education initiatives, we have employment initiatives and we also have some home buyer initiatives we’re working on,” Project Manager, Kit Scott said.

The project will include several improvements like bus stop enhancements, landscaping by the road, and a new community center.

However to widen the road.. People in several neighborhoods along the highway will be displaced, but SCDOT is offering initiatives, like paying for college education for family members impacted.

“We are looking to give scholarships to members of the EJ communities for 2-year college, 4-year, and even training programs,” Scott said.

Project leaders say hosting events like this are vital for their community relationships and allowing people to know what’s happening step by step.

“We want to be transparent, we want to get the information out. We want everyone to know all the information we have right now for this project,” Scott said.

Construction is set to begin in 2029.