CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Charleston city leaders are intensifying efforts to improve pedestrian safety across downtown, focusing on some of the city’s busiest and most dangerous intersections.
The push comes after a tragic crash at King Street and Broad Street, where a woman was struck and killed last month, an incident that has galvanized both officials and community members.
The City of Charleston is now asking the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) to add King Street and Broad Street to a growing list of intersections scheduled for safety redesigns. It would become the seventh downtown location to receive a pedestrian scramble. City leaders say these changes have been in development for years. “The pedestrian scrambles are part of a larger road safety audit that was completed in 2019,” said Michael Mathis, Director of Traffic and Transportation for the City of Charleston. “And the funding was allocated then—a recent bid was accepted by SCDOT for $9 million.”
Mathis added that the improvements are on a clear timeline. “Over the next 18 months or so we should see those improvements made.”
What Is a Pedestrian Scramble?
A pedestrian scramble is a traffic signal phase that stops all vehicles at once, allowing people to cross in every direction, including diagonally. Mathis explained the safety benefits simply. “The pedestrian scramble eliminates the potential conflict between pedestrians and vehicles, so that automatically makes it safer,” he said.
The planned upgrades target several high-traffic intersections identified through a Road Safety Audit. These include:
- Calhoun Street at Coming Street
- Calhoun Street at St. Philip Street
- Calhoun Street at King Street
- King Street at Market Street
- Meeting Street at Market Street
- Meeting Street at Broad Street
- King Street and Broad Street
Mathis noted that King and Broad had already been on the city’s radar. “There were pedestrian improvements at Broad and King Street, and the DOT has recently identified that as an ideal location for pedestrian scrambles as well.”
Community Voices and Advocacy
Local advocates say the city’s plans are a strong start, but more needs to be done. “These intersections the city’s been working on for a long time are great. They’re a really great start,” said Gervais Hegarty Del Porto, organizer of Charlestonians Demand Safe Streets. “We’re also thrilled that recently the intersection of King and Broad has been added back into the safety audit so we see that it’s more good news.”…