The Project
RK&K supported the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) in developing a corridor study focused on multimodal transportation needs along the SC 517 (Isle of Palms Connector) corridor, including the SC 517/SC 703 (Palm Boulevard) intersection. The study was initiated following public concern over a revised bridge lane configuration and sought to identify the most effective long-term transportation solution between the Town of Mount Pleasant and the Isle of Palms.
Originally constructed without dedicated bicycle or pedestrian facilities, the bridge included two travel lanes, a striped median, and shoulders serving as emergency lanes. A later pavement marking modification reconfigured the bridge from a three-lane cross section to a two-lane section that included dedicated bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. In response to public feedback regarding this change, SCDOT commissioned a comprehensive study to evaluate current and future multimodal transportation needs throughout the corridor.
RK&K assessed existing travel patterns, projected future traffic demands, and conducted operational and capacity analyses at key intersections and along the bridge corridor. The team developed and evaluated a range of alternatives designed to optimize the corridor for all users, including motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, while also exploring opportunities for new multimodal connections within the surrounding area.
