Category: Traffic

Wappoo Creek Bridge Openings

Wappoo Creek Bridge

Have you been stuck in traffic because the Wappoo Creek Bridge is open? This is the bridge on Folly Road that connects James Island to West Ashley. It crosses over the Wappoo Creek, which is a tidal stream that connects the Ashley River to the Stono River and acts as a natural thoroughfare for the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.

It’s summertime, so more boats will be traveling on the Wappoo Creek, making it necessary to open the bridge more often. This can cause traffic to back up on Folly Road in both directions.

The bridge is an “on-demand” bridge; that is, it will open only if a boater calls in to request it. Even though boaters can call in, the bridge will only open at specific times.

  • Between 6:00 am to 9:29 am and 3:31 pm to 7:00 pm Monday through Friday, the bridge does not open to recreational boat traffic. (Exceptions may be made for tugs with tows or government vessels).
  • Between 9:30 am and 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the draw will open once an hour on the half hour if a boater requests it.
  • All other times, including weekends and federal holidays, the bridge will open whenever a boater requests it.

Wappoo Creek Bridge is a double-drawbridge, meaning two spans open simultaneously. It was built in 1956 and is part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway system. The current opening schedule has been in effect since May 4, 2018.

To read the complete text from the Coast Guard, click here.

Tidelines Editor

(Image credit: commons.wikimedia.org)

Reminder: Fourth of July Parade Traffic Disruption

Due to the annual Fourth of July Parade, the usual traffic pattern on the island will be disrupted on the morning of July 4. Please plan in advance to avoid delays.

8:30 am – 9:45 am
Seabrook Island Road from Royal Pine through the Village will be closed to traffic. Please use Seabrook Island Road by the Lake House.

9:30 am
Seabrook Island Road in front of the Lake House will be closed until the parade passes. Use Seabrook Island Road through the Village.

Traffic on Seabrook Island Road will be one-way counter-clockwise until the parade passes. Traffic will then return to normal.

Traffic through the Village will remain one-way outbound until the end of the parade.

These procedures for the parade have been planned and agreed on by the Lake House Management, the Head of Security and the Team Leader of CERT.

We apologize for this inconvenience, but the disruptions are to ensure a safe and fun parade.

-Submitted by Steve Pollock, Team Leader SI CERT

Important Safety, Transportation, and LSV Access Guidelines for Celebration on July 3

The Seabrook Island Club is hosting an exciting Fourth of July Celebration on Friday, July 3, beginning at 4:00 pm on the driving range and concluding with fireworks at 9:00 pm. If you are planning to attend, please take a moment to review these important safety, transportation, and LSV access guidelines before arriving.

Event Safety Reminders

For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, no outside food, drinks, coolers, or pets are permitted at the event.

As the evening concludes with fireworks, members and guests are asked to remain in designated viewing areas and keep a safe distance from the fireworks launch site. Please follow all posted signage and staff direction throughout the evening.

All members are encouraged to plan ahead for a safe ride home. Please do not drink and drive. Trolleys will be available throughout the evening to assist with transportation between the Lake House and Island House.

Transportation

Trolleys will run on a continuous loop between the Lake House and Island House during the celebration.

4:30–10:30 pm: Two trolleys will run on a loop between the Lake House and Island House.

9:00–10:30 pm: A third trolley will be added to provide additional transportation following the fireworks and as members depart the event.

LSV Access & Parking

To help ensure the safety of walkers, bikers, LSV drivers, and event guests, the Club has established designated LSV access and parking for the celebration.

Designated LSV-only parking will be located near Crooked Oaks #18 and should be accessed via the cart path entrance on Seabrook Island Road, as shown on the map below

LSVs are highly encouraged to park in this designated area and should not be parked on the golf courses outside of the specified parking location.

On July 3, the cart path access points on High Hammock Road leading toward the Island House will be designated as walking and biking only before, during, and after the event. To keep pedestrians and cyclists safe, LSVs will not be permitted to enter or exit through the High Hammock Road cart path access points shown on the attached map.

Members arriving by LSV should use the designated Seabrook Island Road access point to enter Crooked Oaks at Hole 18 and park only in the marked LSV parking area.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and for helping us maintain a safe and enjoyable celebration for all. We look forward to celebrating with you on July 3!

-Submitted by Seabrook Island Club

(Image credit: Seabrook Island Club)

Heads Up: Temporary King Street Closure June 25-28

If you’re heading downtown this weekend, plan ahead. Southbound King Street near the Francis Marion Hotel will be temporarily closed from Thursday evening, June 25, through Sunday evening, June 28.

The closure is to accommodate a large crane for rooftop equipment installation at the hotel. We know this will cause some disruption.

The schedule is subject to weather delays. We appreciate your patience and will keep you updated as plans are finalized.

-Submitted by City of Charleston, SC

(Image credit: City of Charleston, SC)

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