Charleston County Advances Revised 2026 Transportation Sales Tax Plan

The updated draft incorporates public feedback on project priorities and funding allocations.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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Charleston County Council voted to advance a revised draft of the potential 2026 Transportation Sales Tax program, which would allocate funding for roadway infrastructure, public transit, and the Greenbelt program. The updated plan was created based on over 29,000 public comments and $68 billion in identified transportation needs across the county.

Why it matters

This transportation sales tax plan is a critical initiative to address Charleston County's growing infrastructure needs and prepare for future population and economic growth. The public input process ensures the plan reflects the community's priorities.

The details

The revised draft allocates 63.52% ($2.7 billion) to roadway infrastructure, 20.24% ($860 million) to public transit (including $25 million for a downtown route study), and 16.24% ($690 million) to the Greenbelt program. Specific projects identified include the Rivers Avenue Overpass, Mall Drive improvements, Patriot Boulevard widening, Battery extension, Maybank Highway upgrades, and Long Point Road resiliency work.

  • The Charleston County Council voted to advance the revised draft plan on February 20, 2026.
  • The next phase of community outreach will take place before the Council considers additional revisions in April 2026.
  • If approved, the 25-year Transportation Sales Tax program is projected to generate $4.25 billion.

The players

Charleston County Council

The governing body of Charleston County, South Carolina that voted to advance the revised transportation sales tax plan.

Joe Boykin

The Chairman of the Charleston County Council, who stated that addressing growth is a top priority for the county.

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What they’re saying

“Nothing is more important to the future of Charleston County than how we address growth. Knowing both the cost and consequences of inaction, tonight's vote marks an important milestone in this process.”

— Joe Boykin, Charleston County Council Chairman (abcnews4.com)

What’s next

The Charleston County Council will consider additional revisions to the transportation sales tax plan in April 2026 based on feedback from the next phase of community outreach.

The takeaway

Charleston County's revised transportation sales tax plan demonstrates a commitment to addressing the region's critical infrastructure needs through a collaborative public input process. The plan's balanced funding allocations across roadways, transit, and the Greenbelt program aim to support the county's growth in a sustainable manner.