Traffic and safety improvements completed along Septima Clark Parkway
July 25, 2018
The city of Charleston Department of Traffic and Transportation has completed a series of traffic and safety improvements along the Septima Clark Parkway to increase the efficiency and security of travel for both motorists and pedestrians.
New pedestrian signals have been installed at the Coming Street intersection, which require pedestrians to cross the northbound and southbound lanes of the parkway separately. Those crossing the parkway at this intersection will be instructed to cross only to the median and to then wait for the next “walk” signal before continuing.
An advanced walk signal has been implemented along the parkway at the Ashley Avenue and President Street intersections, which gives pedestrians several seconds to begin crossing the parkway before a green light is given to parallel vehicle traffic. New “no turn on red” signs have been posted at these intersections to facilitate the new uninhibited pedestrian head start.
In addition to these pedestrian signal improvements, new signage has been installed directing citizens to the pedestrian bridge access on Todd Street and another pedestrian bridge access point was created, which can be accessed directly from the parkway.
As part of a city-wide signal retiming effort over the past year to improve overall traffic flow and safety, signals at all intersections between Lockwood Drive and Coming Street have been retimed. Over the past year, additional signals have been retimed in the areas of East Bay Street and Morrison Drive, President Street and Courtenay Drive in the Medical District, Folly Road, Maybank Highway, US 17/Savannah Highway, Old Towne Road/Sam Rittenberg Boulevard, and at various intersections throughout Johns Island.
City of Charleston Director of Traffic and Transportation Keith Benjamin said, “Ensuring efficient traffic flow and safety for all modes of transportation remains a top priority, and we will continue to examine ways to ease congestion and facilitate safe travel for our citizens. In the meantime, we encourage both motorists and pedestrians to exercise additional caution while adjusting to these most recent Septima Clark Parkway pedestrian crossing changes.”
