A FASTER TRACK TO BETTER, SAFER CONNECTIONS
The City of North Charleston and the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG), in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), are leading the Durant Avenue Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study to identify transportation improvements that enhance safety, mobility, and connectivity.
Explore this website to learn about the PEL Study and process, stay informed, and share your feedback.
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ABOUT THE STUDY
Trains crossing Rivers Avenue near Durant Avenue regularly cause traffic delays, limit emergency access, block bicyclists and pedestrians, and create safety system concerns. These challenges will likely grow as rail traffic increases and the future Lowcountry BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) route begins operating in the corridor.
The study will evaluate improvements at the existing railroad crossing and nearby transportation facilities, including Hock Avenue and the Seven-Mile Viaduct. The study area extends along Rivers Avenue from approximately Piggly Wiggly Drive to Columbia Avenue.
The PEL process brings planning, environmental review, technical analysis, and community input together early. This work can carry forward into the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, process, reducing duplication and helping a preferred solution move toward implementation faster.
Reduce Traffic Delays
Strengthen Community
Connections
Improve Emergency
Access
Enhance Safety
PROJECT GOALS
Safer Railroad Crossing
Less Neighborhood Traffic
Better Multimodal Connections
Support
Local Commmunities
Safer Pedestrian Access
Reliable Emergency Access
Prioritize Leveraging Innovation
Sustainability & Resilience
STUDY FUNDING & PARTNERS
The Durant Avenue PEL Study is supported by a $940,000 competitive federal
Railroad Crossing Elimination grant and $260,000 from the City of North Charleston.
PEL Study Area
The PEL Study focuses on a key transportation corridor in North Charleston where roadway traffic, rail operations, businesses, neighborhoods, and regional destinations all intersect.
PEL Study Process
A Planning and Environmental Linkages, or PEL, study connects transportation planning with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process. It brings technical analysis, environmental review, agency coordination, and community input together early, reducing duplicated work and helping future projects move forward more efficiently.
The study will identify practical improvements for the Rivers Avenue and Durant Avenue railroad crossing and nearby transportation network. Its findings can be carried into later project development, helping avoid unnecessary rework and moving a preferred solution toward implementation faster.
PROJECT SCHEDULE
The Durant Avenue RCE PEL Study is expected to continue through May 2027. The schedule below shows major study activities, milestones, and opportunities for public involvement.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Community input will be key in guiding the Durant Avenue RCE PEL Study and the evaluation of potential improvements.
Public meetings, surveys, community outreach, and stakeholder coordination will provide opportunities to learn about the study, ask questions, and share feedback. Input received throughout the process will help identify community priorities and inform study decisions.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESS
The Durant Avenue RCE PEL Study will consider environmental, cultural, and community resources early in the planning process, including:
Neighborhoods & businesses
Recreation areas
History & culture
Natural resources
Community character
Transit & commuting access
Technical analysis, agency coordination, and community input will help the study team evaluate potential improvements while limiting impacts to the surrounding area. This early review can also support a smoother transition into future environmental review and project development.
GET INVOLVED & STAY CONNECTED
Feedback is welcome throughout the Rivers-Durant PEL Study, and your input is important! If you have questions, comments, or suggestions about the study, we want to hear from you. Here’s how to stay in the loop:
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Email the study team at info@RiversDurantPEL.com
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Attend a Public Information Meeting and share feedback in person
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The public will be notified of the time/location when the meeting is scheduled
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Submit a comment below