Welcome to the Airport Connector Road Online Public Information Meeting
The preliminary ACR alternatives are very similar to the location alternatives previously developed and presented at the June 18, 2014 public information meeting. These alternatives were subsequently updated based on information received at the meeting as well as new project information, such as traffic, design criteria, economic development, and land use.
Based on public comment from 2014 and data from updated traffic studies, the project team developed 4 alternatives for the ACR called the “Preliminary Range of Alternatives." The preliminary alternatives for ACR include three new routes to CHS and widening International Boulevard - the existing route to CHS.
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You can view each alternative in more detail by clicking the images to the right.
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More information on the ACR alternatives analysis can be found below.
These alternatives were subjected to a 2-tiered screening process to evaluate and identify the reasonable alternatives.
The screening process helps determine the alternatives that best satisfy the project's purpose and need while minimizing impacts to the human and natural environments.
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Alternative 4 was eliminated in Tier 1 because it does not meet the project's purpose and need of separating airport and commuter traffic from Boeing traffic, improving mobility and operations of local roadways, accommodating travel demands for CHS, and addressing traffic congestion.
The project team compared Alternative 1, Alternative 2, and Alternative 3 according to the Tier 2 screening criteria and Alternative 2 was identified as the reasonable alternative because it:
Meets airport safety guidelines
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Fewe​st cumulative environmental impacts
Alternative 2 does not conflict with the Charleston County Aviation Authority (CCAA)/United States Air Force (USAF) clear zone, has among the fewest residential relocations and business displacements, and has minimal impact to the area's natural resources.
Alternative 2 consists of a new 4-lane roadway with a landscaped median from the West Montague Avenue/I-526 Interchange to CHS at the intersection of International Boulevard and Porsche Boulevard. The roadway would extend along the Santee Cooper and Dominion Energy utility easement, paralleling an existing overhead transmission line.
Alternative 2 also includes a signalized 4-way intersection at ACR and Michaux Parkway and widening Michaux Parkway from 2 lanes to 4 lanes between Dorchester Road and ACR.
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A key element of Alternative 2 is traffic operations at the intersection of ACR and Michaux Parkway; therefore, Alternative 2 was further studied to develop 3 different intersection types at ACR and Michaux Parkway that make up Alternatives 2A, 2B, and 2C.
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In addition, the roadway was slightly modified along the eastern terminus to align with the proposed development associated with the Charleston County School District 4 (D4) Stadium and access road. The project will use public input to further refine these alternatives and determine which alternative best meets the project purpose and need. For visualization purposes, Alternative 2A is shown in this video.
Alternative 2A would include a 4-legged intersection at ACR and Michaux Parkway. Alternative 2A would require approximately 35 acres of new right-of-way from 9 property parcels, including 2 residential relocations and 2 business displacements.
Alternative 2B would include a Green-T intersection at ACR and Michaux Parkway. A Green-T intersection would allow traffic to continue on ACR heading toward CHS without stopping, while vehicles heading southeast on ACR, or coming on and off Michaux Parkway, would utilize a traffic signal. Alternative 2B would require approximately 35 acres of new right-of-way including 2 residential relocations and 2 business displacements.
Alternative 2C would include a grade-separated interchange bridging ACR over Michaux Parkway. The interchange configuration would require approximately 47 acres of new right-of-way from 13 property parcels, including 2 residential relocations and 2 business displacements.