Highway 41 Corridor Improvements

The Laurel Hill Parkway: A Local Connection to Keep Highway 41 Moving

Included with the Highway 41 Corridor Improvements project 4-3-4 design is the Laurel Hill Parkway, a new, two-lane connection road to Park West Boulevard. This connection is a critical piece of the Highway 41 Corridor Improvements project, and it is what will make the entire roadway network work efficiently.

Without the Laurel Hill Parkway, the 4-3-4 configuration, which preserves the historic Phillips Community and addresses a regional mobility problem, will not be able to handle the forecasted traffic and will result in gridlock. The Parkway is the key to making the entire corridor ready for the future.

Why the Laurel Hill Parkway is critical:
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The Parkway supports freer movement of travelers along Highway 41, which is a key evacuation route and vital corridor connecting to Highway 17, Clements Ferry Road, and I-526
It gives Dunes West and Park West residents a new direct connection to Highway 41, allowing them an alternative route to Mt. Pleasant without using the historically congested section of Highway 41
It redistributes traffic and reduces congestion at intersections to minimize delays, ensuring the 4-3-4 design can effectively handle future growth

In 2045, the Parkway will save:

Dunes West and Park West residents 10-20 minutes on daily trips to school, work, and local services and amenities
Local commuters heading to Highway 17 during peak hours nearly 20 minutes
Local trips, such as Park West to the Highway 41 Harris Teeter, approximately 14 minutes

Studies confirm that north and southbound traffic will remain on Highway 41 rather than using neighborhood detours or the Parkway, as the straight route will remain the fastest option.

The entire project is designed with safety in mind. The Parkway will include:

One lane in each direction with a 35-mph speed limit
A 10-foot multi-use path separated from the roadway
Potential direct driveway and bicycle/pedestrian connections to Laurel Hill County Park
Upgrades to the Park West Boulevard roundabout, including a separate bypass lane for vehicles traveling from Park West Boulevard toward Dunes West, lighting, and high-visibility crosswalks

The Parkway will reduce the number of cars on Bessemer Road by 90%, helping restore it to a quiet and safe neighborhood street
It will reduce noise and congestion and contribute to safer community walking, playing, and biking for Bessemer Road residents

The Parkway will reroute over 20 acres of drainage away from Bessemer Road and adjacent neighborhoods, improving drainage in the area
Its design avoids and minimizes impacts to wetlands by using a pedestrian boardwalk crossing at a critical area wetland and reducing shoulder and median widths

Charleston County continues to coordinate and communicate with Charleston County Parks and Recreation on future impacts and accommodations for Laurel Hill County Park.

View features and images of the Laurel Hill Parkway below.