Charleston to Vote on Sales Tax for Road Improvements

The November 3, 2026, ballot includes $100 million for Magwood Drive upgrades to help commuters in West Ashley.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Electric Vehicles

Isometric editorial illustration showing a concrete highway overpass bridge structure and intersection, evoking the scale of proposed municipal road improvements. — Charleston voters will decide on a $100 million transportation sales tax on November 3, 2026, to fund critical infrastructure upgrades in West Ashley. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you support increasing local sales taxes to fund major road and traffic infrastructure projects?

Charleston voters will head to the polls on November 3, 2026, to decide on a transportation sales tax referendum that includes $100 million for intersection improvements at Magwood Drive. This funding would support major infrastructure changes aimed at reducing traffic congestion for residents in West Ashley.

Why it matters

Congestion in West Ashley has worsened alongside regional development, making the proposed intersection upgrades a central factor in local commute times. If approved, the funding could accelerate road projects that are currently planned for later in the decade.

The referendum allocates $100 million for the Magwood Drive project to add an eastbound flyover, allowing I-526 bound traffic to bypass the intersection. Voters will also decide on a secondary ballot question regarding the authority to borrow against anticipated tax revenue.

The players

South Carolina Department of Transportation

The state agency responsible for the planning, design, and construction of highways and bridge infrastructure.

The details

The project intends to resolve bottlenecks by constructing an eastbound flyover that lets drivers heading to I-526 pass above the current intersection. While the city plans to retime traffic lights in West Ashley as a stopgap, the major structural work for a separate SCDOT-planned westbound bridge is not slated to begin until 2029. Following a potential passage of the tax, the county intends to dedicate the first year to project design and the acceleration of smaller traffic improvements.

November 3, 2026: Voters decide on the transportation sales tax referendum.
2029: Construction for the SCDOT westbound bridge project begins.

The Home Front

This referendum reflects a broader trend of municipalities using local tax referendums to address the infrastructure strain caused by ongoing regional growth. It follows the standard practice of leveraging dedicated tax streams to bypass traditional state funding delays for major arterial intersections.

West Ashley residents should review the full project list included in the ballot referendum to understand how the proposed intersection changes might alter their local traffic patterns. Homeowners should also monitor the official county website for updates on how the borrowing measure could impact regional development timelines.

The takeaway

The upcoming referendum represents a significant shift in how the area might manage future congestion in West Ashley. Residents should keep an eye on the outcome to understand the long-term infrastructure changes planned for their commuting routes.