Ashley River Bridge Bicycle and Pedestrian Path Project 

Click here to view the aerial photo of the alternatives presented.

The comment period for this public meeting expired July 23, 2009.

Click here to view the Public Comment Summary Report. (Names and Addresses have been omitted from the comments.)

Bridge Section
The proposed bicycle and pedestrian path attached to the existing Ashley River Bridge would be similar to the walkway that currently exists on the north end of the bridge. The new structure would accommodate a 10-foot-wide multi-use path with an aluminum rail outer barrier wall of 54 inches in height. Two-inch thick concrete deck flooring would be installed on top of steel beams. At the moveable section of the bridge, the structure would be attached to the existing draw bridge.
 
Critical Issue for the Bridge Section:
The weight capacity needs to be evaluated over the moveable sections. Those existing sections may be currently loaded to capacity. Constructiondrawings do not exist that reflect additional weight placed since the original construction. Also, the mechanical and electrical state of the sections’ hardware, such as motors, bearings, brakes and other components, needs to be evaluated.
 
Marsh Section
The proposed bicycle and pedestrian path located over the existing saltmarsh would be an elevated concrete boardwalk structure extending from the end of the Ashley River Bridge to the Ripley Point Drive side of the marsh. The area of Ripley Point Drive, where the boardwalk would end, will be determined when an alternative is settled upon. This portion of the structure would also accommodate a 10-foot-wide multi-use path and would be elevated approximately 14 feet above the marsh to accommodate current FEMA flood plain regulations for the area. Lights would be installed to provide a safe environment (final light design is pending).
 
 
 
Three alternatives have been determined as feasible alignments, and have been developed conceptually as shown in the attached figure. The selected alternative will be designed according to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Guide for Development of Bicycle Facilities, with a design speed of 20 mph.
 
Description of the three proposed alternatives:           
 
  • Alternative A: Contains approximately 2,700 linear feet of elevated boardwalk to cross the existing wetlands. This alternative most closely follows the existing roadway network. It alternative has the most impact to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (DHEC-OCRM) Critical Area.
 
  • Alternative B: Contains approximately 2,300 linear feet of elevated boardwalk. This alternative closely resembles Alternative A but provides a more direct route to the Ashley River Bridge.
 
  • Alternative C: Contains approximately 1,300 linear feet of elevated boardwalk. This alternative takes the most direct route across existing wetlands, has the least impact to the state jurisdictional Critical Area, but has a greater right-of way impact.
 
According to DHEC-OCRM, the Critical Area includes all coastal waters, tidelands, the beach/dune system and beaches. In this case, the critical area would be delineated based on vegetation (i.e. marsh grasses), soil type and slope/elevation. The state has jurisdiction over all tidelands/critical areas, and proposed impacts must be permitted through DHEC-OCRM.
 
Key benefits related to the project:
·        Connecting downtown Charleston to the West Ashley Greenway
·        Recreational and aesthetic value for the community
·        Provides a safe alternative mode of transportation for commuters and visitors to the Charleston area