North Maple Street Improvements Updated Timeline
2014: Summerville Mayor Bill Collins and Public Works Director, Russ Cornette, meet with Berkeley County officials to request that the Nexton Interchange project include the Maple Street connection from the new interchange to tie into Maple Street near Old Dairy Road. Original plans for Nexton interchange did not include a connection to Summerville because the connection to Maple Street near Old Dairy Road crossed the county line into Dorchester County, and Berkeley County funds could not be used to fund road projects outside of Berkeley County. Mayor Collins pledged that the Town would fund the portion of the road within Dorchester County. Berkeley County officials agreed to include the Maple Street connection on the referendum. In November 2014, Berkeley County voters voted to pass the transportation referendum, which would fund the Nexton Interchange, along with many other transportation projects throughout Berkeley County.
2015: The Town of Summerville issued limited obligation bonds secured by utility franchise fees to fund road projects that included the Dorchester County portion of the Nexton Interchange, Bear Island Road and the Maple Street Extension Project. The Town of Summerville enters into a contract with Michael Baker, Inc. for the development of right-of-way plans for the Maple Street Extension project. The Town enters into another contract with Michael Baker, Inc for right-of-way acquisition services for the Dorchester County portion of the Nexton Interchange project connecting the interchange to Summerville near Old Dairy Road.
2016: Berkeley County breaks ground on Nexton Interchange project in March. The Town of Summerville hosts public information meetings for the Maple Street Extension project.
2017: Michael Baker, Inc completes right-of-way plans for Maple Street Extension. The Town of Summerville enters into a contract with Michael Baker, Inc. to provide right-of-way acquisition services for the Maple Street Extension. The project will require the acquisition of approximately 90 parcels.
2018: Berkeley County completes the Nexton Interchange Project in May.
2019: Town of Summerville enters into a contract with Michael Baker. Inc to provide final design and construction plans for Maple Street Extension. The Town of Summerville breaks ground on the Bear Island Road project.
2020: Town of Summerville completes the Bear Island Road project.
2022: Michael Baker, Inc issues right-of-way and utility certifications for the Maple Street Extension project. SCDOT approves final plans for the project. All environmental permits are issued for the project. The State of South Carolina allocates $2.4 million in funding for the project thanks to the efforts of Senator Sean Bennett. The Town of Summerville passes an ordinance establishing the Mid-Town Tax Increment Finance District, which will provide construction funding for the project. Dorchester County officials approach Town of Summerville officials about including the Maple Street Extension project on a developing Dorchester County transportation referendum to assist with construction funding for the project. The Town of Summerville bids the project for construction and no bids were submitted. The Maple Street Extension project is included on the referendum and Dorchester County voters vote to pass the referendum funding Maple Street extension, as well as many other transportation projects throughout Dorchester County.
2023: Town of Summerville bids the Maple Street Extension project again and receives two bids.
April 6, 2023: An official groundbreaking ceremony was held by the Town of Summerville, Michael Baker International, Blythe Development Co, and Dorchester County to mark the beginning of the North Maple Street Project, a major infrastructure improvement initiative aimed at improving community safety, mobility, and connectivity.
This timeline will be regularly updated to reflect the latest developments.