Category: Traffic

Memorial Day Starts Summer Traffic


Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of summer, and we look forward to welcoming family members, personal friends, and summer visitors. As we all know, traffic can get congested at the Main Gate as visitors arrive to spend their summer holiday on Seabrook Island.

Gate pass data show that peak visitor arrival hours are from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm on weekends. During those times, visitors passing through the gate may average over 100 vehicles per hour! In addition, this means there will be more than the usual number of cars, pedestrians, and bikers. Please be patient and follow the Rules and Regulations for driving, walking, and biking.

If possible, you may want to plan your trips back to Seabrook Island sometime before or after these hours.

Please advise your personal guests, rental guests, and contractors arriving during operating hours to stop at the SIPOA Daily Pass Office (see below) to obtain their SIPOA gate pass. Note: This location and the Main Gate accept credit/debit cards and checks only.

Continue reading “Memorial Day Starts Summer Traffic”

Betsy Kerrison Reopens

Emergency officials say Betsy Kerrison Parkway has reopened after being closed for several hours this morning. St. John’s Fire District and other emergency agencies responded to a structure fire at 4:50 am in the 3800 block of Betsy Kerrison. Officials reported heavy fire from a mobile home. 

Unfortunately, a female resident of the home was found deceased inside of the structure. The STJFD Fire Marshal Division is investigating. The Charleston County Coroner’s Office is on scene.

-Submitted by Town of Seabrook Island

Traffic Alert: Betsy Kerrison Parkway


In the early morning of March 9, 2026, the southbound lane of Betsy Kerrison Parkway is closed until further notice due to a house fire on BKP across from Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Drivers headed towards Kiawah Island, Freshfields Village and Seabrook Island should expect delays.

You can also check St. John’s Fire District’s Facebook page for updates.

-Submitted by The Town of Kiawah Island

Hands-Free Law in Effect

On September 1, 2025, South Carolina’s Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act went into effect. For the first 180 days after the law went into effect, South Carolina law enforcement only issued warnings for violations of the hands-free law.

Starting on February 26, 2026, which marks day 180, violations of this law may result in a fine and points against your driver’s license.

Under the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving law, drivers are not allowed to:

  • Hold or support a mobile device with any part of their body. (This does not prohibit the use of an earpiece or device worn on the wrist used for voice-based communication.)
  • Use a mobile device to read, compose, or transmit texts, emails, app interactions, or website information.
  • Watch motion on a mobile device, including a video, movie, game, or video call.

To learn more about the hands-free law and the fees for violating the law,  click here.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: South Carolina Department of Public Safety)


County Council Attending Town Council Meeting October 28

Charleston County Council will be in attendance at TOSI’s town council meeting on October 28, 2025, to discuss transportation needs and plans for their sales tax referendum in 2026.

As part of its new Transportation Sales Tax (TST) planning process, Charleston County has launched an online public input form to gather ideas and feedback from community members that will help shape the future of transportation throughout the region.

You can complete the survey here. Responses will guide the County Council as they consider how an estimated $4.25 billion could be invested in future transportation, transit, and green space improvements if the existing half penny tax is extended. Residents are asked to complete the survey by December 1, 2025. 

The current Transportation Sales Tax program funds road and infrastructure improvements, public transit, and green space preservation.

The online survey invites the public to rate the importance of each of the following investment categories for potential future projects:

  • Roadway Infrastructure: Fixing bottlenecks, paving, and rural road safety.
  • Transit Service Expansion & Lowcountry Rapid Transit (LCRT): Improving bus service, access, and connectivity throughout the region.
  • Bike and Pedestrian Network: Closing network gaps and improving safety for cyclists and walkers.
  • Greenbelt Program: Parks, waterways, and protective land purchases that enhance quality of life.

Residents can also suggest additional investments the county should consider and make recommendations on the allocation of future funding across key areas. For further information, please visit the Charleston County Transportation’s website here.

-Submitted by Town of Seabrook Island

Traffic Alert: St. John’s High School Homecoming Festivities

St. John’s High School
Home of the Mighty Islanders

Homecoming Game – Friday, October 24, 2025

Homecoming Parade – Saturday, October 25, 2025

St. John’s High School, located at 1518 Main Rd, Johns Island, between Maybank Highway and Chisholm Road, will have several activities to celebrate Homecoming.  These activities will affect traffic on Main Road for part of the day and evening:

  • Homecoming game, Friday, October 24, from 5:30 to 10:30 pm at St. John’s High School. Tailgate opens at 4:30 pm; Game begins at 7:30 pm
  • Homecoming parade, Saturday, October 25, starts at noon, beginning at Haut Gap Middle School and ending at St. John’s High School

You may want to travel on River Road to get on and off Johns Island during these activities.

–Tidelines Editors

Charleston County Updates Downtown Parking Garage Rates October 1

Following a comprehensive market analysis that found Charleston County’s monthly and transient parking rates to be below prevailing market values, the County will implement rate adjustments at the Cumberland (90 Cumberland Street) and King and Queen (85 Queen Street) garages to bring them more in line with comparable facilities, effective October 1, 2025. This adjustment will create a consistent pricing structure for transient rates across all downtown garages. Funds will be utilized to perform critical facility maintenance and repairs, as well as to offset costs like credit card fees.


New transient rates for all county garages:

  • $1 per 20 minutes
  • $24 daily max
  • $50 lost ticket fee

New monthly rates (24/7 access):

  • King and Queen Garage: $215 per month
  • Cumberland Garage: $175 per month

Please note that Charleston County no longer offers a Daytime Parking Access rate. Contracts and billing for those currently receiving Daytime Access will automatically default to the new 24/7 rate.

For cardholders with an automatic credit or debit card on file, payments will be processed on November 1, 2025 (for October) at the new rate amount.

For additional information, patrons should contact the Parking Office at 843-724-6786.

–Tidelines Editors

New Hands-Free Law September 1

On September 1, 2025, South Carolina’s Hand-Free and Distracted Driving Act will go into effect. Under the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving law, drivers are not allowed to:

  • Hold or support a mobile device with any part of their body. (This does not prohibit the use of an earpiece or device worn on the wrist used for voice-based communication.)
  • Use a mobile device to read, compose, or transmit texts, emails, app interactions, or website information.
  • Watch motion on a mobile device, including a video, movie, game, or video call.

South Carolina law enforcement shall only issue warnings for violations of the hands-free law for the first 180 days after the law goes into effect. Violations of this law may result in a fine and points against your driver’s license.

To learn more about the new hands-free law and the fees for violating the law,  click here.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: South Carolina Department of Public Safety)


Be Alert: School Starts Soon

Charleston County Schools, which includes Johns Island, will have its first day of school on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. The College of Charleston will open residence halls on Friday, August 15, and the first day of classes will be Tuesday, August 19. This will cause additional traffic downtown around the College of Charleston.

Expect increased traffic on the roads, so allow yourself extra time to travel on or off the island, especially during early morning and mid-afternoon hours. During those times of day, you are likely to encounter school buses on the road. Extra patience and caution are often required.

Continue reading “Be Alert: School Starts Soon”

Traffic Alert on River Road July7


At 2:35 this afternoon we received report of a major delay on River Road. A vehicle carrying double wide trailers has become stuck under trees and traffic is blocked in both directions.

Please use alternative routes, avoid the area if possible, and expect delays. Check Waze or Google maps for alternate routes and to see when the road reopens.

–Tidelines Editors

Local Traffic Today

We verified with Security at the Gatehouse at 12:45 pm today that there is a high degree of traffic volume coming on and off the island including at the circle. The traffic is due to the holiday. Allow extra time if you are on local roads today.

–Tidelines Editors