GOOSE CREEK, S.C. – If you travel along St. James Avenue in Goose Creek, be careful. Dozens of orange barrels now line a portion of the highway, also known as Hwy. 176, as part of a construction project spearheaded by the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
The project aims to improve safety and reduce congestion along the highly traveled road between U.S. Hwy. 52 (Goose Creek Boulevard) and Old Moncks Corner Road, according to the SCDOT.
Prior to the construction, a Road Safety Assessment (RSA) was conducted in partnership between SCDOT, Stantec, the City of Goose Creek, the Goose Creek Police Department, Berkeley County, and the Federal Highway Administration.
The assessment revealed that St. James Avenue averages approximately 40,000 vehicles a day – almost three times the recommended level.
“Traffic volumes on St. James Avenue have grown beyond the generally recommended level for two-way left-turn lanes,” the assessment reported. “The high volumes combined with numerous conflicting turning movements force drivers to make multiple decisions quickly. This results in both right angle and rear end crashes.”
The number of vehicle collisions along St. James Avenue continues to rise with most crashes occurring between the hours of 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., the RSA found.
Rear-end crashes were the No. 1 most reported accident type to occur on the highway followed by right-angle crashes. Side-swipe accidents ranked third, the assessment reported.
According to the SCDOT, to reduce future traffic accidents, the project will include the construction of a raised concrete median added to a portion of St. James Avenue. Raised medians will be installed on St. James Avenue from Old Moncks Corner Road to the Hwy. 52 intersection.
With construction moving forward, residents can expect periodic lane closures, Goose Creek city officials said.
In addition to adding a raised median, SCDOT officials said the project also calls for a crosswalk, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) improvements, and extending right turn lanes within the project corridor.
The project is expected to be completed by late-July.
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