Dorchester County has provided new information about the future of the county-maintained section of Sandridge Road, confirming that a full-depth reconstruction is the recommended long-term solution for the roadway. The update follows questions from Town of Dorchester residents after a recent County Council presentation on emergency repairs currently underway along Sandridge Road.
Current Work Nearing Completion
According to Dorchester County, crews are completing short-term emergency repairs designed to stabilize failing road shoulders. The work includes grading damaged areas and reinforcing the shoulders with rock to improve safety until a permanent solution can be funded. County officials expect this phase of work to wrap up by the end of the month.
What Is the Long-Term Plan?
In a response to an inquiry from Dorchester resident David Provenzano, Transportation Development Manager Mackenzie Kelley explained that the County recommends a full-depth reconstruction of the roadway.
Unlike a standard resurfacing project, full-depth reconstruction rebuilds the road from the foundation up. The process includes:
- Recycling and pulverizing the existing asphalt.
- Rebuilding a stable road base.
- Installing a new asphalt driving surface.
- Protecting the investment through future pavement preservation treatments.
County officials say this approach provides a significantly longer service life than patching or overlaying the existing pavement.
Why Isn’t Reconstruction Happening Immediately?
The primary challenge is funding. Dorchester County estimates the reconstruction project will cost approximately $4.5 million. Each year, the County receives about:
- $2 million in County Transportation Committee (CTC/State Gas Tax) funding for resurfacing and reconstruction projects across approximately 570 centerline miles of county, City of North Charleston, and Town of Summerville-maintained roads.
- Another $2 million through the Transportation Sales Tax (TST) program, which focuses on preserving roads already in good condition through preventive maintenance such as seal coats and thin asphalt overlays.
Because reconstructing Sandridge Road would require more than the County’s annual resurfacing budget, officials are evaluating alternative funding strategies.
What Happens Next?
The County is exploring several options, including:
- Completing reconstruction in phases over the next two to three years as funding becomes available.
- Seeking state and federal grant opportunities.
- Continuing routine maintenance to keep the roadway safe until reconstruction begins.
In the meantime, County field crews will continue grading the shoulders and replenishing rock where needed.
County Update: “Our field operations crews will continue to grade and rock the shoulders as needed until the road can be reconstructed.”
Community Questions Helped Clarify the Plan
The additional information came after residents sought clarification following a County Council progress update. Questions centered on whether the current repairs represented the final solution or a temporary measure. The County’s response confirms that the ongoing work is intended as an interim safety improvement while officials pursue funding for a complete reconstruction project.
Stay Informed
DorchesterSC.org appreciates Dorchester County staff for providing additional details about this project. We will continue sharing official updates on Sandridge Road and other transportation projects affecting the Town of Dorchester as new information becomes available.
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