JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Charleston County recently initiated an Airport Area Traffic Impact Analysis Study to determine the affects of the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner Assembly Plant on area traffic flow. The study identified seven locations where immediate improvements were recommended. One of those areas was the Dorchester Road Air Base Gate. The improvements will take an estimated 90 days and the contractor will be on site Sept. 10, but will not begin construction affecting traffic flow until Sept. 17.
Improvements include a new right turn lane at the Dorchester Gate and provide for improved traffic signal timing and optimization. The 628th Civil Engineer Squadron Real Property office has worked closely with the county government to execute the real estate agreements necessary to allow the construction. When complete, the project will result in two dedicated right turn lanes and one dedicated left turn lane for Air Base outbound traffic. This should result in improved afternoon traffic flow.
During construction, only one outbound lane will be available for use at the Dorchester Road Gate and barriers will prevent the use of the right lane just past the intersection of Hill Blvd. and O'Neal Ave. Drivers using the Dorchester Gate should stay in the left lane on Hill Blvd. as they approach O'Neal Ave. Drivers will be able to turn either direction at the intersection with Dorchester Road.
To relieve congestion, the Commissary Gate will also be open to outbound traffic only from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Drivers wishing to use this exit should use the right lane on Hill Blvd., turn right at the traffic light on O'Neal Ave. and proceed to take a left at Lawson Dr. to exit the base. The appropriate signage will be provided.
Inbound Air Base traffic and Visitor Center operations will not be affected. Please exercise extreme caution when driving near the construction area.