Shaping the Future of Transportation in Charleston County

A New Beginning for Our Transportation Sales Tax

Charleston County is exploring a future extension of the Transportation Sales Tax (TST) to improve quality of life and meet the region’s growing mobility, greenspace and infrastructure needs. The County is taking a fresh community driven approach to this effort.

Take The Survey View the Proposed Projects

Learn Why It Matters

Early Framework

Last Fall, Charleston County Council directed County staff to conduct a broad-based public, municipal, and stakeholder listening effort to gather input on the current and future transportation needs.

As part of that effort, County staff attended and presented at 67 public and stakeholder meetings across Charleston County. This outreach resulted in nearly 29,000 public comments, more than 600 individual project requests, and approximately $68 billion in identified transportation needs.

To everyone who participated in this initial phase of outreach, thank you for your time, input, and engagement.

On January 13, 2026, staff presented the full public input report to County Council. The complete report can be found here.

With this public input in mind, County Council then adopted a set of guiding principles to inform future Transportation Sales Tax (TST) decisions and further directed staff to begin drafting a TST extension proposal for Council’s review and consideration.

Finish What Was Promised

Complete key projects carried forward from the existing Transportation Sales Tax program.

Focus on Congestion Relief and Safety

Invest fairly across the county to reduce congestion and improve roadway safety brought on by growth.

Support Multimodal Mobility

Enhance communities with sidewalks, bicycle facilities, and transit services that address identified needs and improve mobility.

Use Greenbelt Investments to Manage Growth and Protect Quality of Life

Protect natural areas through continued Greenbelt investments that help limit overdevelopment and support long-term quality of life.

Build Resilient Infrastructure

Integrate flood mitigation and resiliency measures into transportation projects to strengthen infrastructure.

Ensure Transparency and Accountability

Maintain strong oversight and clear communication to demonstrate progress and responsible stewardship of public funds.

Referendum Timeline

Continuous Public and Stakeholder Education and Engagement. Increased Transparency and Accountability of the TST Program.

January

Jan. 13: Council receives briefing on public and municipal input received

Jan. 22: Council begins consideration of funding categories for potential future TST program based on input received

February

Feb. 4: Council Workshop to develop DRAFT program

Feb 19 & 24: Council completes work on DRAFT program and staff initiates 30-day public outreach effort

March

Feb. 25 – March 25: Staff-led outreach effort

Council considers operating procedures for annual allocation programs, Greenbelt, etc. of potential future TST program

April

April 7 & 14: Council receives briefing on second phase of public input and refines proposed program specifics, as desired

May

Council finalizes proposed TST program and determines whether to proceed with placing it on Nov. ballot

May 26: First Reading of Ordinance

June

June 11: Second Reading of Ordinance

June 23: Third Reading of Ordinance

July

Staff prepares package for submission to SC Election Commission

August - November

Aug 17: Last day to submit Nov. ballot items to SC Election Commission

Nov. 4: Election Day

On February 19, 2026, during a Special County Council meeting, Council voted to advance a working draft of a potential 2026 Transportation Sales Tax program, which is estimated to generate $4.25 billion over 25 years.

Under the draft program, funding would be structured as follows:

The draft also includes a list of featured, bike, pedestrian and intersection safety improvement projects across the county.
You can view the full list of proposed projects here.

All projects were evaluated using a 100-point scoring system based on public and municipal support, congestion relief, safety improvements and consistency with County Council’s guiding principles.

Up to 50 Points

Public / Municipal Support

1st Priority = 50
2nd Priority = 45
3rd Priority = 40
4th Priority = 35
5th Priority = 30
6th Priority = 25

Up to 30 Points

Congestion Criteria

Level of Service
LOS E/F = 30
LOS C/D = 22.5
LOS A/B = 15

Up to 20 Points

Safety Criteria

Crash Rate
Fatal & Serious Injury per Mile
High (>5) = 20
Medium (3-5) = 15
Lower (<3) = 10

How to Get Involved

Your perspective will help set priorities for the next generation of transportation and greenspace projects. Here’s how you can participate:

Share Your Input

Take The Survey

Upcoming Municipal Meetings & Presentations
Join upcoming in-person sessions across the County.

Community Meetings & Workshops:
Stay tuned for more information about upcoming in-person and virtual events across the County.

Public Listening Session (Virtual)

1/8/2026 6:30 p.m.

Watch the recording here

Public Listening Session

3/16/2026 6:30 p.m.

Moultrie Middle School, 645 Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464

Public Listening Session

3/23/2026 6:30 p.m.

Park Circle Community Center, 4800 Park Cir, North Charleston, SC 29405

Public Listening Session

3/30/2026 6:30 p.m.

James Island Town Hall, 1122 Dills Bluff Rd., James Island, SC 29412

Submit Comments and Questions Anytime:
Email your feedback and comments to via tst@publicinput.com.

Request a Speaker:
Request a speaker for your group or organization.

Group or Organization

Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Requested Presentation Date

Requested Presentation Time

Phone

Event Information

Sign Up for Updates

Want to follow the process from start to finish? Subscribe to our newsletter for timely updates on:

Major milestones in the TST planning process
Key County Council decisions and votes
Upcoming public meetings and engagement opportunities

Together, we can create a transportation network that keeps Charleston County moving safely, efficiently, and sustainably for decades to come.

Your Penny at Work

Every dollar of Charleston County’s half-cent Transportation Sales Tax is invested with accountability and transparency. Over the last 20 years, these projects have improved safety, expanded opportunity, and enhanced the quality of life for residents across the region.

Historic Investments Report Road Ahead Presentation Road Ahead Handout Public Input Overview Report TST Retreat Presentation