Mayor Cogswell, Charleston City Council, and project collaborators have officially broken ground on the Ashley River Crossing project, an initiative that has undergone several revisions and is 15 years in the making.
The Ashley River Crossing will feature a standalone bridge and bike path designed to provide a dedicated connection for pedestrians and cyclists traveling between downtown Charleston and West Ashley. The bridge will provide a link between the West Ashley Greenway, Brittlebank Park, and the Ashley River Walk.
Key focuses of the project include:
- Safety: The bridge will provide a secure space for bikers and walkers, reducing the risk of crashes with vehicles .
- Sustainability: The project is projected to save ~66,210,000 vehicle miles over 30 years, helping reduce carbon emissions and traffic congestion.
- Accessibility: Nearly half of Charleston’s population resides in West Ashley, and this bridge is set to improve access to the peninsula for both residents and visitors.
Construction has begun on the West Ashley side. With an estimated cost of $90 million, the project is expected to be completed by 2027.