Folly Road (SC-171) is the main thoroughfare on James Island, SC, and the only route leading to Folly Beach. As the most congested intersection on James Island, the low-lying roadway was also prone to flooding, creating additional hardships for the local community.
To alleviate traffic congestion and to improve drainage, STV was contracted by Charleston County to perform a range of engineering design services including roadway, drainage, environmental, as well as right-of-way and utility coordination for improvements at Folly and Camp roads.
A key part of this project was designing a wider roadway, with additional turning lanes, bike lanes and more accessible sidewalks, without disrupting a complex system of underground utilities. Adding to the program’s challenge was the fact that the project team had to develop customized drainage solutions to address the space constraints of the intersection and the surrounding businesses.
Folly and Camp roads are lined with heritage oak trees that hold special meaning for the community. The final design solution, which received an Engineering Excellence Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of South Carolina, operationally improved the roadway while avoiding the removal of these historically significant trees.
50
Grand Oak trees preserved
11 foot
travel lanes
75
drainage boxes
