Sheila Parker, project manager for Charleston County construction management, told residents on Tuesday that the county will deliver two nearby James Island intersection projects funded by the 2016 transportation sales tax and is beginning construction activity.

Parker said the county will “install traffic signals” at the Fort Johnson and Secessionville intersection and build an urban compact roundabout at the Camp/Fort Johnson location to improve safety and maintain traffic flow. “So because of that, those these 2 projects are a reality today,” Parker said.

The projects were framed as safety-driven. John, a project team member, said the Fort Johnson/Secessionville intersection was prioritized after “40 accidents that occurred over a 5 year time span.” The Secessionville redesign includes a signalized intersection, left-turn lanes on Fort Johnson and Secessionville, new sidewalks, curb and gutter, marked crosswalks, pedestrian refuge islands, upgraded pedestrian signals, new drainage and relocation of some water and sewer mains to accommodate the drainage work.

At the Camp/Fort Johnson site, the project team selected an urban compact roundabout that officials described as fully traversable so fire apparatus and large trucks can pass. John said the roundabout was chosen to avoid removing large heritage trees and to limit private-property impacts; the team said stone posts at the site will be moved back slightly and stored off-site during work before being reinstalled within the newly acquired easements.

The county described a tentative construction schedule that begins with survey verification and subsurface utility investigation, followed by erosion-control and tree-protection measures, utility relocations, storm-drain installation, paving and final signal installation. Officials said work is expected to run from October (start year not specified in the meeting) to June 2027, a period they described as roughly two years. Project staff warned some elements — notably signal mast arms — have long lead times and must be ordered well in advance.

Officials outlined traffic restrictions and potential community impacts: no lane closures are allowed on certain segments during weekday morning and evening peak periods (no lane closures between 6–9 a.m. and 3–6 p.m.), potential nighttime paving, sidewalk closures, temporary noise and occasional water shutoffs (Charleston Water System will provide 48-hour notice prior to any interruption). The county said it will use signage, on-site traffic control personnel and advance PIO notifications to mitigate impacts and will coordinate mailbox placement with the U.S. Postal Service if temporary moves are required.

Residents raised questions about emergency-response access, tree removal and sightlines. Project staff said the roundabout is mountable and designed so fire trucks can pass; they emphasized a larger traffic circle would have required removing more trees and taking additional private property. Staff added that only trees tagged with pink tape are planned for removal; many trees in the area lie in SCDOT right-of-way and would require South Carolina Department of Transportation approval for removal or modification.

The county said it may use short detours — coordinated with DOT and local schools — to protect workers and accelerate some work, but that it will notify the public in advance. Inspectors will be on site while the contractor is active, and the county plans quarterly community updates during construction.

No formal votes or ordinance actions were taken at the meeting. The project team encouraged residents to contact the county with questions and to attend future updates.

Details from the meeting:

• Funding: 2016 transportation sales tax (stated by project staff).

• Anticipated construction duration: October (start year not specified) to June 2027, described as roughly two years.

• Secessionville scope: signalized intersection; left-turn lanes; sidewalks; curb and gutter; crosswalks; pedestrian refuge; new drainage; relocation of water mains and some sewer lines.

• Camp/Fort Johnson scope: urban compact roundabout; sidewalks and pedestrian refuges; perimeter landscaping; relocated stone posts (to be stored off-site and reinstalled); two contracted wet-utility relocations with Charleston Water System and James Island Public Service District.

• Traffic rules: No lane closures during weekday peak windows (6–9 a.m. and 3–6 p.m.); contractor to pursue shoulder closures and flagging where necessary; possibility of nighttime paving for surface operations.

• Community mitigation: advance notices, PIO updates, website progress, on-site signage and traffic control, mailbox coordination with postmaster, on-site inspectors during active work, and quarterly community meetings.

Who spoke (selected): Sheila Parker, project manager, Charleston County construction management; John, project team member (presenter); Buck, field representative; Councilwoman Jenny Honeycutt (attending); Brooke Lyon, mayor of James Island (attending); state representative Spencer Wetmore (attending). Other residents and stakeholders asked questions during public comment.

The county said it will continue outreach as construction begins and will provide schedule updates if timing shifts.