New roundabout at Main, River, and Chisolm roads to open Monday
October 15, 2026
River Road will close Friday evening as final work is completed over the weekend
The new roundabout at Main, River, and Chisolm roads on Johns Island is scheduled to open to traffic Monday, October 19, at 6 a.m., marking a major milestone in the ongoing U.S. 17 and Main Road Improvements Project.
“This roundabout will make a real difference for the people who travel this corridor every day,” said Charleston County Council Chairman Joe Boykin. “Improving our roads and addressing traffic congestion are top priorities, and seeing another piece of this project become a reality is a major step forward for Johns Island. There’s more work ahead, but this is meaningful progress toward improving traffic flow and keeping our community moving.”
To prepare for the opening, River Road will close beginning Friday, October 16, at 7 p.m., while crews work through the weekend to complete final preparations, including stormwater pipe installation and paving. The road will reopen Monday morning.
During the closure, drivers who typically use River Road to access the Limehouse Bridge should detour via Old Pond Road to Main Road.
Message boards are in place alerting drivers to the upcoming change in the traffic pattern.
The attached guide from the Federal Highway Administration provides useful tips on how to safely navigate roundabouts.
Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and use caution when traveling through the construction area.
About the U.S. 17 and Main Road Improvements Project
Funded by the 2016 Transportation Sales Tax, the U.S. 17 and Main Road Improvements Project extends 2.4 miles along Main Road from Bees Ferry Road to River and Chisolm roads. The project is designed to reduce congestion at the intersection of U.S. 17 and Main Road, increase roadway capacity, provide safe bicycle and pedestrian access across the Stono River and improve stormwater drainage throughout the corridor.
For more information about the project, click here.
