Roundabout construction at Seven Farms, River Landing set for this fall

A nearly $2.6 million contract is paving the way for a new roundabout at the intersection of River Landing and Seven Farms drives, considered one of the busiest crossways on Daniel Island. 

Berkeley County Council awarded the contract to Blythe Development LLC, out of Charlotte, North Carolina, for $2,569,097.76 on July 27. 

Construction is expected to begin this fall, within the next 60 to 90 days, according to Berkeley County Councilman Jarrod Brooks. 

Blythe will have 180 days, or about six months, to finish the project once construction begins. That deadline would put an anticipated completion date around next May at the latest. 

The project will include a roundabout at the intersection, median landscaping, and rapid-flashing beacons on all approaches of the traffic circle for pedestrians. 

Both Berkeley County and City of Charleston officials hope the roundabout will improve flow and safety, as the current four-way signals are prone to traffic backups during morning and evening rush hours. 

Lawmakers have been answering questions regarding the crowded intersection as early as 2015, when suggestions of adding a turning lane morphed into conversations about constructing a roundabout. 

Off-ramp traffic from I-526 westbound from Mount Pleasant and I-526 eastbound from North Charleston feeds directly into the intersection daily. Routinely, a line of vehicles can be seen on each side of Seven Farms Drive as commuters make their way on and off the island. 

A steady stream of walkers, runners, and bikers also travel across Seven Farms and River Landing to either visit downtown shops and restaurants, travel back and forth to school, or merely get some exercise. 

A 40-foot flagpole topped with the American flag will be the centerpiece of the circle. The flag, an LED spotlight, and upkeep will be privately funded and is anticipated to cost around $20,000. 

The total cost of the project is set around $3.4 million, with funding coming from the Berkeley County One Cent Sales Tax Program.