Construction crews finalizing Hwy 17 projects in Mt. Pleasant - Live5News.com | Charleston, SC | News, Weather, Sports

Motorists should expect to navigate through lane and ramp closures and traffic shifts, and encounter temporary delays as crews finalize construction activities and punch-list items for the Johnnie Dodds Boulevard Improvements Project in Mount Pleasant.

All construction areas will be marked with construction cones and signs. To reduce impact on travelers over the Christmas holiday, lane closures will not occur from 6 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 21, to 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 2.

Construction crews will work through the end of January 2013 to complete the work.

Bowman Road traffic shifts:

• The traffic shifts will occur from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., and will affect drivers in both directions on Bowman Road, from Marsh Court Lane (at McDonald's restaurant) to West Frontage Road (at former East Cooper Hospital).
• The shifts are necessary to install curb and gutter, sidewalks, asphalt and conduct other construction activities.
• All construction areas and traffic shifts will be marked with construction cones and signs.
• All work is dependent on the weather.

Bowman Road ramp closures:

• The following Bowman Road ramps will be closed nightly from 9 p.m. – 6 a.m. (note: only one ramp will be closed at any given time):

• Entrance ramp onto southbound Johnnie Dodds Boulevard from Bowman Road (next to Arby's restaurant).
• Entrance ramp onto northbound Johnnie Dodds Boulevard from Bowman Road (next to McDonald's restaurant).
• Exit ramp from southbound Johnnie Dodds Boulevard onto Bowman Road (next to the former East Cooper hospital).
• Exit ramp from northbound Johnnie Dodds Boulevard onto Bowman Road (next to Blockbuster and Nason Medical Center).

• During the nightly ramp closures, all traffic will be detoured to either East Frontage Road or West Frontage Road.
• All construction areas and detours will be marked with construction cones and signs.
• The ramp closures are necessary so crews can work on the interchange.

Lane closures throughout the project limits:

Johnnie Dodds Boulevard Nighttime Lane Closures:

• Drivers should expect temporary, nighttime lane closures for three miles on Johnnie Dodds Boulevard (U.S. Highway 17) from the end of the Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge to I-526.
• Construction activity will occur from 9 p.m. - 6 a.m. in an effort to reduce the impact on drivers.
• The speed limit on Johnnie Dodds Boulevard is reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph in the construction zone.

Daytime Lane Closures on Johnnie Dodds Boulevard

• Southbound lane closure from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• Northbound lane closure from 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• The times are different for each direction in order to reduce the impact during the morning and afternoon rush hours.
• Two lanes of traffic will remain open at all times.
• The work is necessary to complete the work in the median of Johnnie Dodds Boulevard.
• Signs will direct drivers of the lane closures.

East Frontage Road

• Daytime Lane Closures:

• Drivers should expect temporary, daytime lane closures on East Frontage Road from McGrath Darby Boulevard to Bowman Road.
• For areas with low traffic volumes, the construction activity could occur as early as 6 a.m. until 4 p.m. Lane closures in areas of high traffic will be delayed until 8:30 a.m.
• Drivers will have access to businesses along East Frontage Road at all times during construction.

• Nighttime Road Closures:

• Drivers should expect minor, nighttime road closures from 8 p.m. - 6 a.m. due to eastbound and westbound road closures of East Frontage Road from McGrath Darby Boulevard to Bowman Road.
• The daily starting time of this closure may be delayed until 9 p.m. if traffic is heavy.

West Frontage Road

• Daytime Lane Closures:

• Drivers should expect temporary, daytime lane closures on West Frontage Road from Mathis Ferry Road to Bowman Road.
• For areas with low traffic volumes, the construction activity could occur as early as 6 a.m. until 4 p.m. Lane closures in areas of high traffic will be delayed until 8:30 a.m.
• Drivers will have access to businesses along West Frontage Road at all times during construction.

• Nighttime Road Closures:

• Drivers should expect minor, nighttime road closures from 8 p.m. - 6 a.m. due to eastbound and westbound road closures of West Frontage Road from Mathis Ferry Road to Bowman Road.
• The daily starting time of this closure may be delayed until 9 p.m. if traffic is heavy.

Drivers traveling through the project's construction zone are asked to be aware of equipment and crews working in the area at all times. Drivers are encouraged to go slow and allow additional time to reach their destinations safely.

Alternative routes are recommended if possible. The public is also asked to notice traffic control signs, reductions in speed limit and message board information, and to note that all road work is dependent on the weather.

The goal of the project, which is expected to be completed in the spring of 2013, is to improve the traffic flow in and out of Mount Pleasant, especially before and after school and work hours.