Road work ahead 🚧

A proposed access road to Charleston International Airport has received funding approval

Charleston International Airport was established in 1929. | Photo by @rspellerberg

We’ve given you the scoop on long-term expansion plans for Charleston International Airport over the next 20 years, and here’s the latest.

State officials have approved funding for a proposed new access road to the airport — a project set to cost ~$144 million. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty.

What’s the route?

With goals to improve the flow of traffic and reduce congestion in the area, the proposed five-lane roadway’s anticipated route extends alongside a power line off Montague Avenue and leads into the current loop road at the airport.

This access road is expected to replace the current entryway at International Boulevard after construction is finalized.

Who will be contributing, and how much?

The SC Joint Bond Review Committee voted to subsidize a supplemental $22 million for the project following lawmakers’ initial approval of $17 million in 2014. As for the rest:

SC Dept. of Transportation: ~$69 million
Charleston County: $18.1 million
Federal officials: $16.1 million

If you’ve done your mental math, you’d recognize that there should be ~$1.7 million left over between these calculations and the total projected cost, which has yet to be distributed.

A spokeswoman for Charleston County stated that the county would identify the remaining funds, and who will be responsible for providing the money, once construction nears.

How long will this take?

The target time frame for bids to go out is currently spring 2024, after which construction will begin. The multi-million dollar project is expected to take two years.

Tap the button below to learn what else is going on and check out our guide to navigating Charleston International Airport like a pro. ✈️

UP, UP, AND AWAY

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Thursday, Jan. 26

Special 250th Early Days Gallery Tour with Director Carl Borick | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | The Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting St., Charleston | Free with admission | Take a walk down memory lane as you embark on a tour of the museum’s “Early Days” gallery.
Bingo and Brews | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 6-8 p.m. | Holy City Brewing, 1021 Aragon Ave., North Charleston | $5 per card, 5 for $20 | Try your luck at bingo for the chance to win gift cards and prizes from local restaurants and businesses.

Friday, Jan. 27

Nature Rx: Forest Bathing Fridays | Friday, Jan. 27 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Caw Caw Interpretive Center, 5200 Savannah Hwy., Ravenel | $9 | Join a naturalist for some ecotherapy in a county park and connect with nature through the five senses.
Village Concert Series: Ben Rosenblum Jazz Trio | Friday, Jan. 27 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church, 302 Hibben St., Mount Pleasant | Free | Award-winning NYC jazz pianist and accordionist Ben Rosenblum is headed to the Holy City on a 15-performance Southeast tour.

Saturday, Jan. 28

Sweet Jessamine Flower Truck Pop-Up | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Hotel Bennett, 404 King St. | Free | Shop a selection of freshly-cut florals from a 1967 Volkswagen Transporter known as Hattie in front of this hotel’s entrance.
5th Annual Onesie Bar Crawl on King Street | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 3-11 p.m. | Uptown Social, 587 King St., Charleston | $23-$33 | Grab a ticket to storm King Street and participating bars in your favorite onesie.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

58º | Sunny | 4% chance of rain

Sunrise + sunset

Rise: 7:17 a.m.
Set: 5:48 p.m.

Tide

Low: 5:20 a.m. + 5:49 p.m.
High: 11:43 a.m.

Community

ICYMI: The City of North Charleston is seeking community input on proposed redistricting plans for City Council districts to account for fluctuations in population. While a public meeting was held on Tuesday, comments may be submitted online or emailed. ✍️ (WCSC)

Civic

On Tuesday, Mayor Tecklenburg delivered the State of the City address. The mayor discussed project plans including public safety, affordable housing, and traffic, with an emphasis on flood relief efforts. (WCBD)
Applications are now open for Dorchester County’s Senior Citizens Tax Work-Off Program, allowing older adults (60+) to exchange their time and skills for county property tax obligation compensation. Learn more and apply by Thursday, Feb. 23.
Berkeley Electric Cooperative and EV charging platform Optiwatt have partnered to offer Charleston County residents who own an electric vehicle $150 in compensation for registration in the Managed Charging Program, working to reduce the cost of electricity through automated EV charging. Download the free app. ⚡

Drink

Yesterday we reported that Hazel and Apple was expected to open this spring at 549 King St. The bar has reached out to let us know the anticipated opening date has been moved back to late fall 2023. Take a look inside while you wait.

Concert

Calling all Dave Matthews Band fans: The Grammy Award-winning artist is headed to the Holy City for back-to-back performances at Credit One Stadium on Friday, June 2, and Saturday, June 3. Snag tickets starting Friday, Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. 🎸 (Holy City Sinner)

Award

Now we’re cooking. The semifinalists for the 2023 James Beard Awards were announced yesterday, and Daniel "Dano” Heinze of Vern’s was nominated for Best Chef: Southeast. Award finalists will be revealed on Wednesday, March 29, with a winners gala set to be held on Monday, June 5. 🏆 (Eater)

Number

$570 million. That’s the official sale price of Daniel Island software firm Benefitfocus Inc. The all-cash deal was first announced in November, and Voya Financial Inc. has officially finalized the buyout at $10.50 per share. 💰 (The Post and Courier)
432. That’s the number of permanent housing placements that local services, including the Ralph H. Johnson Health Care System, provided to veterans experiencing homelessness last year. Learn more about the organization. (WCSC)

Health

Do you suffer from arthritis? While it remains a last resort treatment, joint replacement surgery has come a long way. What once required a week-long hospital stay can now frequently be done as an outpatient procedure. Find out if this joint pain treatment option is right for you.*

Eat

Don’t just eat better — eat the best. Sunbasket’s meal kit service delivers delicious, healthy meals created by award-winning chefs straight to your front door. Bonus: CHStoday readers can get $100 off their first four deliveries and more when they sign up. 🍽️ *

Shop

Have you heard? Amazon now offers subscription boxes. Best of all — there’s a huge selection. Love trying out top rated beauty products? Subscribe to the Allure Beauty Box. Music aficionado? Join the Vinyl of the Month Club. Pet parent? Your cat will love the KitNipBox. 📦 *

Finance

Erase credit card interest until nearly 2025? Sounds good to us. This balance transfer card can do just that, providing you up to 21 months for the important stuff: travel, education, good food, time with family, or paying off debt. Apply today in minutes.*

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Picture this: 45,000 pounds of oysters

Guide to the 2024 Lowcountry Oyster Festival

DYK that finding a crab in your oyster is considered good luck? | Photo provided, Lowcountry Hospitality Association

It’s time, Charleston. The 39th annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival is happening this weekend, so we’re giving you the lowdown on the world’s largest oyster festival.

Presented by Toadfish, this rain-or-shine event will be held at Boone Hall Plantation on Sunday, Jan. 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Expect steamed oyster buckets, live music, raw oyster shucking contests, drinks, and local bites.

If you’re wondering what happens to the oyster shells after the event, here’s an interesting fact: The festival collaborates with the SC Dept. of Natural Resources and the Coastal Conservation Association of Charleston to recycle shells in local waterways to help reduce the risk of flooding and rebuild fisheries.

VIP tickets are sold out, but general admission tickets are still available for $23. Tap the button below to grab yours.

LET'S GET SHUCKIN'

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Alexandra.

Editor’s pick: As someone who works remotely full-time, I’m always looking for new local coffee shops to work from (or lunch spots to meet up with coworkers).

Recently, I headed to Blūm on Meeting Street to indulge in a croissant and a dirty chai and really enjoyed the atmosphere.

I want to know: What’s your favorite local spot to work from? Bonus points for good Wi-Fi. Let me hear ‘em.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Check out 10 must-do spring events, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Alexandra Garian, Tatum Jacaruso, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Stephanie Zapiecki | Advertise with us.

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