Charleston County opens Camp Road traffic circle but keeps nearby sidewalks closed

Charleston, South Carolina – For drivers on James Island, Monday will bring a major change at one of the area’s active construction zones. Cars will begin moving through the newly built traffic circle at Fort Johnson Road and Camp Road on August 10, marking a key milestone in a project designed to make the intersection safer and more efficient.

For pedestrians, however, the work is not finished. With the new school year beginning, Charleston County Public Works is stressing that sidewalks around the intersection remain closed and that students and families should continue using the established pedestrian detour.

Beginning Monday, motorists will be able to travel through the new traffic pattern even as crews continue construction nearby. Electronic message boards along Fort Johnson Road and Camp Road will alert drivers to the change.

Crews are expected to work in the area most days from 6 a.m. until dusk. Drivers are being asked to slow down, follow posted signs and watch carefully for workers and ongoing construction activity.

Pedestrians face a different set of restrictions. Until sidewalk improvements are complete, the designated walking detour runs along Seaside Lane between Dills Bluff Road and Fort Johnson Road. Charleston County officials are warning pedestrians not to enter the construction zone or try to move around sidewalk closures because those areas remain active work sites.

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The timing makes the pedestrian restrictions especially important as students return to school. Families choosing Charleston County School District bus transportation can also use the district’s route information and bus stop locator to determine available service.

The broader Fort Johnson Road at Camp Road project is transforming the intersection into a traversable urban compact roundabout. The finished design is intended to improve movement and safety not only for motorists but also for pedestrians and cyclists.

Planned features include new sidewalks, ADA-accessible ramps, crosswalks, pedestrian refuge areas and additional safety improvements.

Opening the traffic circle to vehicles represents an important step, but construction will remain visible around the intersection after Monday. Motorists can use the roadway while the remaining improvements are completed, while pedestrians must continue following the Seaside Lane detour until the sidewalks officially reopen.

Questions about construction or the recommended detour can be directed to Charleston County Public Works at 843-202-7600 or pwcustomerservice@charlestoncounty.org.