DESIGN PROCESS

The Palmetto Commerce Interchange project requires the approval of a wetland permit from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). To receive approval for this necessary permit, Charleston County needed to complete the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. The FHWA is the lead federal agency on this project, and supervises the preparation of the environmental analysis. The NEPA process results in an Environmental Assessment, a document that ensures the final design will have no significant impact to the human or natural environment, and that it meets the purpose and need of the project.

Primary Purpose:

• Provide improved travel times and access options to the rapidly growing, high-density employment centers along Palmetto Commerce Parkway and Ingleside Boulevard,

• Improve traffic mobility for the area served by the Ashley Phosphate Road/I-26 Interchange, and

• Provide more efficient commute options within the portion of the regional network that relies on access to I-26 by increasing the number of trips allowed and decreasing delays.

A secondary goal of the proposed project is to complement economic development in the area by improving access and mobility to the nearby existing and planned commercial, industrial, and mixed-use high-employment areas.

The below graphic provides details on how the NEPA process is completed.