Progress on Rapid Transit in Charleston County as New Bus Stops Open in North Charleston

Progress on Rapid Transit in Charleston County; New Bus Stops for North Charleston!

Charleston County, S.C. has some exciting news for public transportation lovers! The Lowcountry Rapid Transit line (LCRT) is inching closer to getting off the ground, and the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) is expanding its reach in North Charleston with brand-new bus stops. Talk about making travel easier for everyone!

Open Houses Show Positive Vibes for LCRT

Just recently, the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) organized two open house sessions, where project leaders shared updates on the progress of the LCRT project. And guess what? The feedback from the public has been overwhelmingly positive! Isn’t that great news?

The LCRT is set to transform public transport in the area by providing a safe way to connect Ladson, North Charleston, and Charleston through mass transit. This will be the first of its kind in South Carolina—a real game-changer for residents!

Design Phase is Nearly Complete!

As of now, about 60% of the design work is finished, and project leaders are gearing up for the final design phase. “We’re doing all the final adjustments to the project, coordinating with utilities and right of way so that we can come to final design and start construction in 2026,” shared Sharon Hollis, the principal transit planner for BCDCOG. Mark your calendars, folks, because the construction is expected to last two years, with an official opening date targeted for 2029.

The LCRT will stretch across an impressive 21 miles and feature a total of 20 stations, along with added bus lanes, improved sidewalks, and multi-use paths. Plus, there are talks of proposed affordable housing along the route—what more could you ask for?

Seamless Connectivity

While this new LCRT is a bit different from the current CARTA system, Hollis reassured that buses will be scheduled in a way that allows for a seamless network. “If you want to connect from the Mount Pleasant Route 40 and connect LCRT and go all the way up to the fairgrounds, you could do that very easily with this system,” she explained. Sounds like a win-win for commuters!

Exciting New Bus Stops in North Charleston

“It’s a very present stop in terms of its physical presence, which makes it a lot easier again, for our kids to access it, but also the community members to access it,” he noted with enthusiasm.

Students from all across Charleston County commute to the magnet school, with some coming from as far as McClellanville or Ravenel. Principal Perrineau mentioned that the new stop is just off Rivers Avenue, a route known for being one of the busiest (and even called dangerous) in the Tri-County area. “It modernizes obviously the transportation system that we have here in Charleston and the Charleston area, but it allows for ease of transition across the Lowcountry for those that have difficulties with personal transportation,” Perrineau added.

On the Move!

The new CARTA bus stop is situated on Route 10, which provides service from Trident Medical Center in North Charleston all the way to the Charleston Visitor’s Center on Meeting Street in downtown Charleston. This expansion promises to ease commutes and make travel a lot more convenient for everyone involved.

With the LCRT line expecting to cater to up to 3 million riders a year upon completion, it’s evident that Charleston County is making strides to improve transportation. The future of public transit is really looking bright!