2026 Referendum - Charleston County Transportation

Roads, Public Transit, and Greenspace

Mobility and Quality of Life Investments Over 25 Years

On Nov. 3, 2026, Charleston County voters will decide whether to approve a proposed extension of the existing Transportation Sales Tax Program.

If approved, the program is projected to generate approximately $4.25 billion over 25 years for roadway infrastructure, public transit and greenspace preservation.

Developed Through Public Input

Charleston County developed the proposed Transportation Sales Tax Program through a broad-based public, municipal and stakeholder engagement process designed to identify transportation priorities across the county.

As part of that effort, County staff attended and presented at nearly 80 public and stakeholder meetings across Charleston County. This outreach resulted in approximately 29,000 public comments, more than 600 individual project requests and approximately $68 billion in identified transportation needs.

On January 13, 2026, staff presented the full public input report to County Council. The report documented the transportation, transit, greenspace and infrastructure needs identified through public engagement and helped inform the next phase of program development.

Using this public input, County Council adopted a set of guiding principles to help shape the proposed Transportation Sales Tax Program and directed staff to develop the program that the public will be asked to consider on November 3, 2026.

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.

Program Framework

The proposed Transportation Sales Tax Program is estimated to generate approximately $4.25 billion over 25 years for roadway infrastructure, public transit and the Greenbelt Program.

Proposed Funding Allocations:

  • Roadway Infrastructure (64%): $2.7 billion
    • Featured roadway projects, pavement management, intersection safety improvements, traffic signal coordination, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and Transportation Sales Tax carryover commitments.
  • Public Transit (20%): $858 million
    • Funding for CARTA operations, fleet replacement, passenger amenities, infrastructure improvements and regional transit initiatives, including Lowcountry Rapid Transit (LCRT).
  • Greenbelt Program (16%): $690 million
    • Funding for land preservation that protects natural resources, working lands and community greenspace throughout Charleston County.

Proposed projects were evaluated using a 100-point scoring system based on public and municipal support, congestion relief, safety considerations and consistency with County Council’s adopted guiding principles. This evaluation framework helped prioritize projects for inclusion in the proposed Transportation Sales Tax Program.

Use the interactive map to explore proposed projects and funding categories across the county. Projects included in the proposed program can be viewed by location, category and funding type using the interactive map below.

Evaluation Criteria

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:

Upcoming Meetings, Workshops & Presentations
Join upcoming in-person and virtual events across the County.

Public Listening Session (Virtual)
1/8/2026 6:30 p.m.

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

Sign Up for Updates

Subscribe to our newsletter for:

  • Upcoming public meetings
  • Information on the 2026 TST Referendum
  • Updates on TST projects
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.
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