Work officially can begin on U.S. 17 Septima Clark Parkway road improvements as a result of a signed agreement between the U.S. Department of Transportation and City of Charleston, S.C., for $10 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars.
“This is another great example of Recovery Act dollars strengthening our transportation infrastructure and creating jobs,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says. “Charleston travelers will get around more safely and efficiently as a result of this investment.”
The $10 million grant TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant, part of the Recovery Act, is designed to promote innovative multimodal and multijurisdictional transportation projects that provide significant economic and environmental benefits to an entire metropolitan area, region or the nation.
“Recovery Act funds are helping to build better roads and making many communities more livable,” Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez says. “Here in Charleston, the Septima Clark Parkway will improve traffic efficiency and safety, which are critical to residents and commuters alike.”
U.S. 17 is a regionally significant National Highway System route that serves as a gateway to Charleston and is also designated as an evacuation route. TIGER funds will be used for the first phase of roadway improvements, which will accommodate a larger drainage project to alleviate flooding along U.S. 17 between Interstate 26 and the Ashley River in downtown Charleston. That section of the road is designed to provide safe access for all users and includes pavement and sidewalk upgrades and street lighting and landscaping.
