- Charleston County is finally moving forward with plans to improve the intersection of Riverland Drive and Central Park Road on James Island after years of discussion and rejected proposals, with a $4.5 million project set to include adding a turn lane on Central Park Road, 4,700 feet of new or improved sidewalk on Riverland Drive, and an upgraded pedestrian crossing.
JAMES ISLAND — Road safety issues caused the state Department of Transportation to propose changes to the Central Park Road and Riverland Drive intersection in 2012, but local concerns about trees and private property stalled any work, until now.
Earlier proposals for a traffic signal, multiple turn lanes, a parkway concept, an unusual elongated roundabout and other ideas have all been dropped in favor of this modest plan: Add one turn lane on Central Park Road, 4,700 feet of new or improved sidewalk on Riverland Drive and an upgraded pedestrian crossing.
When it’s done, safety is expected to improve, but Central Park Road’s traffic rating is projected to be an “F” — as in failing…