Foot traffic is just as important as vehicle traffic in a city as populated and beautiful as Charleston.  

In efforts to increase accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists in the region, the City of Charleston broke ground on construction for Ashley River Crossing.  

“The connection between parts of the city and tying everything together is critical,” Mayor William Cogswell said during a groundbreaking event Wednesday at the site of construction. “This bridge is going to be not only a physical connection between West Ashley and the peninsula, but a symbolic connection that I think is long overdue.” 

What once started as a $6 million project, the $74 million Ashley River Crossing will connect West Ashley and downtown Charleston, Michael Seekings, a councilmember for Charleston City Council, said.

The bicycle and pedestrian bridge will connect not only the two regions, but create a connection between West Ashley Greenway, Brittlebank Park and the Ashley River Walk.  

Seekings said Ashley River Crossing was a passion of his when originally running for election for the council. 

After 15 years, the project has begun construction. 

“To me, this really is the most important transportation mobility infrastructure project that’s been undertaken in my time as a city council member, and probably longer,” Seekings said.  

Ashley River Crossing is expected to be completed in June 2027. Seekings said people will be able to see the progress from the Ashley River Bridge, but it will not interrupt traffic. 

Related: Charleston County marks historic year with $1.28B of capital investment

Related: MUSC to break ground on $175M downtown Charleston facility

LS3P and SeamonWhiteside will serve as the architects for the project. The general contractor is MasTec Civil with COWI Engineering, JMT, TranSystems and ESP as the engineers. HDR Engineering is the project manager.  

“Mayor, there is only one day that’s better than the day you break ground, and that’s the day you cut the ribbon,” Ron Mitchum, executive director of Berkley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Government, said. “I look forward to coming back with you so we can start to watch people start to enjoy what I know is going to be a beautiful first-class facility.” 

The post Charleston breaks ground on $74M West Ashley to downtown pedestrian bridge appeared first on Charleston Business.