1300 Hospital Dr #220
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
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Struggling with Knee or Shoulder Pain that won't improve?
From serious sports injuries causing tissue damage to bone issues and stiffness that comes with age, living with pain is, well, a pain. But it's more than that - it's a stressful, often upsetting way to get through your day, month, and year. Have you ever tried to get out of bed with sore, stiff knees? Most folks would rather just get back in bed. Think you might try exercising with plantar fasciitis? Don't plan on running far or doing cardio for very long. Torn rotator cuff? Without proper treatment, your life might not ever be the same.
Living with pain and the inevitable issues that come with age can seriously affect your wellbeing and happiness. Sure, you could wake up every morning and rely on addicting medications to help you move. Or, you could risk further injury and damage with invasive surgeries that require long periods of recovery and downtime. But those can't be the only two options for treatment, can they?
Fortunately, a new, natural, non-invasive treatment for pain is revolutionizing the medical industry and transforming people's lives. It's giving athletes, average folks, and people of a certain age a reason to be hopeful. It's called Softwave therapy, and unlike many fly-by-night medications and sketchy treatments, it's backed by science and provided by Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine.
If you're barely making it through the day suffering from chronic pain, this FDA-approved drug-free treatment may be for you. Softwave therapy has already been used by thousands of people around the country living with issues like shoulder pain, knee pain, and plantar fasciitis. You could be next.
Though its popularity has only grown in recent years, Softwave therapy - also known as shockwave therapy - has been around for years. In fact, the first systematic study into the benefits of shockwave therapy took place way back in 1950. So, what is Softwave therapy?
Softwave therapy is a method of treatment that works incredibly well for mobility rehab, pain relief, and full-body recovery, usually from chronic pain or injuries. Softwave therapy uses a device emitting low-energy soundwaves that target a patient's injured area. These low-intensity waves boost blood flow and kickstart your body's natural healing processes, relieving long-term pain and helping your body to heal a wide range of injuries and conditions.
The main targets in the body include bones, tendons, and other soft tissues, which are encouraged to regenerate and repair via the shockwaves. Often, shockwave therapy is used in conjunction with other non-invasive treatments like chiropractic care, which we offer at Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine. The results are often incredible, leaving patients wondering why they never tried Softwave therapy before.
Softwave therapy works especially well for:
Better Blood Flow
Collagen Stimulation
Reducing Inflammation
Kickstarting cell growth and healing factors
Breaking down build-ups of calcium
With FDA clearance, little-to-no side effects, and quick application time, Softwave therapy is a welcome alternative for people suffering from pain. Who wants to spend weeks or months recovering from a surgery that might not even work? Likewise, who would want to become dependent on over-the-counter or, even worse, prescription pain meds? Living a life of addiction is a road nobody wants to go down.
Softwave therapy represents a revolution in non-invasive pain treatment; best of all, it's highly effective. Independent studies prove that shockwave therapy helps with pain. 65-91% of patients using shockwave therapy experienced real-deal improvements in damaged muscle and bone tissue, solving their mobility problems and drastically reducing pain. It almost sounds too good to be true, but as many patients at Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine will tell you - it isn't.
Book AppointmentSome of the most common conditions that Softwave therapy treats include:
When you get up in the morning and go to the bathroom to brush your teeth, do you notice a stabbing, sharp pain near your heel? Does the pain go away once you have a chance to walk around? If so, you could have plantar fasciitis. According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, this painful condition is quite common. About two million people suffer from plantar fasciitis every year, and almost 10% of all people will experience the condition at least once in their life.
This common foot issue happens when the plantar fascia - a fan-shaped tissue near your heel - gets inflamed. The plantar fascia is a thick strip of connective tissue that links your toes to your heel bone, helping to preserve the arch of your foot. When this band is strained, it causes intensely sharp pain, usually in the morning when you wake up and plant your feet on the floor.
Most folks ignore plantar fasciitis because the pain eventually goes away throughout the day. However, if left untreated, plantar fasciitis can lead to weakness and chronic pain, which may affect daily walking.
Some causes of plantar fasciitis include:
The short answer to this question is not really. Patients with plantar fasciitis will ice the affected area with little-to-no relief since they spend so much time on their feet. It's hard to rest an achy heel if you've got a job that requires you to be on your feet. Anti-inflammatory meds like Advil don't work all that well, either. They may provide temporary pain relief, but in terms of a long-term solution, taking these drugs will cause major side effects.
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When more conservative treatment options like ice and over-the-counter meds don't work, most doctors turn to ultra-expensive orthotics, steroid injections, or invasive surgery. For the average person, those options fail on all fronts, as they carry risks for side effects and may even cause the issue to worsen.
Instead of going under the knife or changing their daily routines, many people suffering from plantar fasciitis are turning to Softwave therapy for relief.
During a shockwave therapy session, our expert providers use a special probe to deliver pressure waves to inflamed tissue. These waves trigger natural healing processes causing new blood vessels to form. In turn, oxygen is supplied to the affected area, reducing inflammation and causing healthy cells to regenerate. Shockwave therapy also produces collagen, which is crucial for connective tissue health.
With just a few visits, many patients find long-term relief from plantar fasciitis without relying on strange drugs or harmful surgeries.
Living with knee pain is just miserable. From knee tendonitis to osteoarthritis, knee pain can prevent you from enjoying activities and affect your day-to-day life. Your knee is a joint comprised of cartilage, bone, ligaments, and fluids. Tendons and muscles within the knee help the joint move. When one of these crucial knee structures is hurt or compromised, it results in knee pain and long-lasting knee problems. This, in turn, leads to difficulty walking at best and debilitating knee issues at worse.
If you're an active person or somebody who plays sports often, you're probably all too familiar with knee pain - especially common conditions like patellar tendinopathy. Also called "jumpers knee," this issue happens at the patellar tendon, which is found on the front of the knee just under the knee cap. When living with this condition, most patients experience pain around the kneecap or lower down on the leg around the tibia.
In addition to injuries and issues like jumper's knee, everyday wear and tear will cause knee pain over time. With time, this knee pain can develop into arthritis. If your knees are swollen, painful, or stiff, you may have arthritis in your knees. Regardless of the kind of knee pain you're experiencing, treatment options have been limited to agonizing surgeries and addicting pain medications. But that all changes with shockwave therapy for knee pain in Isle of Palms, SC.
Though no two knee pain problems are exactly the same, shockwave therapy has been shown to be highly effective for knee pain. In fact, many patients at Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine find relief after just one session. Many times, sessions can be completed in as little as 30 minutes. So if you want to find relief for knee pain on your lunch break, that's definitely possible.
As is the case with plantar fasciitis, Softwave therapy works by sending sound wave and low-energy impulses to the affected area of your knee. These pulses stimulate your body's healing factors, which can help regenerate and repair damaged tendons and tissues. Softwave therapy for knee pain is especially promising for people who have tried other treatments - like surgery and pain meds - with disappointing results.
Benefits include:
Several studies and reviews prove that Softwave therapy can be very beneficial for people suffering from knee pain problems like jumper's knee. A study involving 66 patients with knee pain found that they enjoyed a significant improvement in their reported pain levels with Softwave therapy. In fact, knee pain was reduced by nearly 50% after a single month. When combined with other regenerative and physical therapy treatments at Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine, your days of living with knee pain are numbered.
Book AppointmentHere's a fact for you to consider: Every joint that you have in your body plays a part in your day-to-day life. But when we think of joint issues, we typically jump to knee issues. However, your knees aren't the only joints in your body to go through wear and tear. Your shoulders experience just as much, if not more, wear and tear than your knees. We put a strain on our shoulders just about every time we use or move our arms. Our shoulders play a pivotal part in living a normal life. When they begin to deteriorate over time due to age or overuse, it creates a litany of painful problems.
There are many causes of shoulder pain, like deterioration, inflammation, and trauma. Of the many painful shoulder conditions affecting Americans yearly, rotator cuff tendonitis and arthritis are very common. Also called calcific tendinitis, rotator cuff pain is caused by built-up calcium deposits on the shoulder's tendons, which connect your rotator cuff to nearby muscles and bones. This painful condition is usually linked to sports, like basketball and volleyball, or in professions requiring repetitive movements, like in the plumbing industry.
Some common symptoms of shoulder pain and rotator cuff tendinitis include:
Though strengthening exercises and some medications provide temporary relief for shoulder pain, they're not meant as long-term solutions. Luckily, Softwave therapy for rotator cuff pain in Isle of Palms, SC, can help.
Shockwave therapy has been shown to work wonders for shoulder pain. Low-intensity shockwaves break up calcium deposits and jumpstart your body's healing processes, stimulating blood flow and healthy cell growth. Shockwave treatment is especially effective for long-term shoulder pain since it releases stem cells, sends growth factors to the affected area, and boosts capillary production. Shockwave therapy has also been shown to break down scar tissue and eliminate trigger points, all of which decrease shoulder pain. This relief is most often long-lasting, unlike other treatments like medications and injections.
Many studies support the efficacy of Softwave therapy for shoulder conditions like rotator cuff pain and calcific tendonitis of the shoulder. In a study of 84 patients living with long-term rotator cuff tendonitis, participants in the treatment group saw a significant decrease in the intensity of their shoulder pain. Another study related to shockwave therapy for calcific tendonitis found that 86.6% of patients experienced fewer calcifications.
If you're having to live with rotator cuff pain or another type of shoulder issue, choosing Softwave therapy may be your best course of action.
Book AppointmentWhether you're sick of living with intense heel pain from plantar fasciitis, the mobility issues associated with knee pain, or the day-to-day struggles of rotator cuff degeneration, you'll find hope at Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine. Unlike some medical clinics, our team of doctors and specialists focus on an integrative, multidisciplinary approach to healing. Instead of relying on addictive medications and invasive surgeries, we prefer to address the underlying causes that our patients face.
We combine several all-natural pain relief therapies so that your shoulder pain, knee pain, joint pain, and foot pain go away for good. We resolve pain by using healing treatments that restore function and improve mobility for the long term. Our state-of-the-art regenerative medicine treatments, used hand-in-hand with proven chiropractic techniques, will stimulate your body's healing power from within. If your pain is related to muscles, nerves, and bones, our doctors can help you overcome discomfort, injury, or medical conditions affecting these systems.
If you've been unable to resolve your pain or have become dependent on painkillers to cope, Softwave therapy may be the natural solution you need. It all starts with a quick call to our office, so we can begin to understand your needs. When you come for your first visit, our doctors will find the personalized treatment you need so that you can manage your pain in a non-invasive and drug-free environment manner.
Book AppointmentBest Places to Live in Charleston: Charleston is located in the southeastern United States, specifically in South Carolina. It is the largest city and the county seat of Charleston County. This is a modal window.No compatible source was found for this media.10 Fun Facts About CharlestonThe town is situated ...
Best Places to Live in Charleston: Charleston is located in the southeastern United States, specifically in South Carolina. It is the largest city and the county seat of Charleston County.
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The town is situated on a peninsula between the Ashley and Cooper rivers and is known for its historic architecture, beautiful beaches, and vibrant culture.
Charleston has a rich history, dating back to its founding in 1670 by English colonists.
It played a significant role in the American Revolution and Civil War and was also an important center of trade and commerce during the colonial era.
Today, Charleston is a popular tourist destination named one of the best small cities in the United States by several publications.
The city is known for its beautiful antebellum homes, cobblestone streets, and horse-drawn carriage tours.
It also has a thriving culinary scene, with numerous award-winning restaurants and renowned chefs.
Charleston is also home to several colleges and universities, including the College of Charleston and the Medical University of South Carolina.
Located just across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge from downtown Charleston, Mount Pleasant is a charming town with a small-town feel with a population of 92,105.
Mount Pleasant has a diverse economy that offers various job opportunities with the top employers in the area, including; the Medical University of South Carolina, Roper St. Francis Healthcare, Boeing South Carolina, and the Charleston County School District.
In terms of economy, the cost of living in Mount Pleasant is around 11% higher than the national average, mainly due to the higher cost of housing and transportation.
The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Mount Pleasant is around $1,300 per month, while a two-bedroom apartment rent for an average of $1,800 per month.
But, it can vary depending on amenities, location, and size. A stay at Mount Pleasant is fun as it offers various outdoor activities, including water sports, fishing, and golfing.
For those who love the hustle and bustle of city life, downtown Charleston is the place to be. The historic district boasts beautiful architecture, renowned restaurants, and many entertainment options.
In downtown Charleston, the cost of living is even higher due to the high demand for housing than the cost of living in a historic and tourist-oriented area.
For example, one-bedroom apartments range from $1,500 to $2,500 per month.
However, it is also possible to find less expensive options if you are willing to look outside of the downtown area.
Job opportunities are guaranteed since many job opportunities exist, including those in hospitality and tourism, healthcare, education, and government.
The city has many museums, galleries, and cultural institutions, including the Charleston Museum, the Gibbes Museum of Art, and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra.
James Island is located in Charleston County, South Carolina, USA. Its population is approximately 13,000 people, and it is known for its natural beauty and proximity to downtown Charleston and Folly Beach.
Regarding job opportunities, James Island is part of the larger Charleston metropolitan area, home to various industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, and hospitality.
The cost of living on James Island is generally considered higher than the national average, with housing costs being a significant factor.
According to data from Zillow, the median home value on James Island is around $399,000, which is higher than the median home value in Charleston.
A one-bedroom rent averages $1,200, which can be more or less due to various factors.
Overall, James Island is desirable for those who value natural beauty, community, and proximity to downtown Charleston and the beach.
West Ashley is a suburban area located in the city of Charleston, South Carolina. It is an excellent choice for those who want to be close to downtown and enjoy the convenience of suburban living.
The area offers a variety of shopping and dining options, as well as beautiful parks and green spaces.
The site has a growing job market with opportunities in healthcare, education, retail, hospitality, and other industries offering a wide range of employment opportunities.
Although housing costs, in particular, can be more expensive than in other parts of the country, the cost of living is lower than in some other famous cities in the United States.
Generally, West Ashley offers a good quality of life with plenty of job opportunities, a diverse population, and cultural attractions.
This master-planned community is located just across the Cooper River from downtown Charleston.
Daniel Island is known for its beautiful homes, top-rated schools, and ample outdoor recreational opportunities. Daniel Island’s population is approximately 13,729 people, which is expected to grow.
According to Best Places, the cost of living in Daniel Island is 34% higher than the national average, with significant contributors being homes and rents.
There are job opportunities with major employers in sectors like Blackbaud, Benefitfocus, and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Health.
The island is home to several parks and trails, including the famous Smythe Park, which features a lake, playground, and picnic areas.
Also, there are annual events that bring the community together to celebrate.
If you are looking for a beach town vibe, Isle of Palms is the place to be. Located just 20 minutes from downtown Charleston, this barrier island offers beautiful beaches, great restaurants, and plenty of outdoor activities.
However, the cost of living in the Isle of Palms is higher than the national average.
The median rent in Isle of Palms is around $2,000 monthly, higher than the national average due to the beach’s location.
For work opportunities, Isle of Palms is a small community with limited job opportunities.
Most of the residents work in Charleston or other nearby cities. Some of the major industries in the area include; healthcare, hospitality, and tourism.
Isle of Palms has a laid-back, beach vibe and is known for its outdoor recreational opportunities, such as swimming, surfing, boating, and fishing.
Harleston Village is located in downtown Charleston, a hub for various hospitality, healthcare, and education industries. Many job opportunities are available in these industries, as well as in technology and other sectors.
Additionally, the nearby Charleston International Airport and the Port of Charleston provide job opportunities in transportation and logistics.
The estimated population of Charleston is 137,916 as of 2022, but it is expected to rise.
Harleston Village is considered an upscale neighborhood, so the cost of living and housing prices tend to be higher than in other areas of Charleston.
But the general cost of living in Charleston is higher than the national average, but it is still relatively affordable compared to other major cities.
The neighborhood has many historic buildings and landmarks, including the College of Charleston and the Dock Street Theatre. So, brace yourself to have a fun filled life while living at Harleston Village.
ISLE OF PALMS — Islanders here may have to learn to live with the resident coyotes as shooting the species is illegal on the island, and trapping is the only other option.Officials don’t know exactly how many coyotes live on Isle of Palms, but most of them linger near the Wild Dunes area.Twelve sightings were documented so far this year. And 59 were counted in 2022, according to Ryan Warren, an animal control officer on the island.But the invasive predators have a presence in each of the state’s countie...
ISLE OF PALMS — Islanders here may have to learn to live with the resident coyotes as shooting the species is illegal on the island, and trapping is the only other option.
Officials don’t know exactly how many coyotes live on Isle of Palms, but most of them linger near the Wild Dunes area.
Twelve sightings were documented so far this year. And 59 were counted in 2022, according to Ryan Warren, an animal control officer on the island.
But the invasive predators have a presence in each of the state’s counties. The species is extremely adaptable and detrimental to deer, turkey and other native animals.
Between 20,000-25,000 coyotes are taken annually in the state.
Summertime is when Isle of Palms animal control officers get the most calls about coyote sightings. Visitors often report the coyotes because they don’t realize the animals are residents on the island, Warren said Feb. 22 at a meeting on how to deal with the animals.
“We’re definitely pushing for people to call more,” Warren said. “So maybe that might be why we have more sightings or maybe there’s more out there.”
The city tries to alert residents and visitors of the animals through its website and occasionally on Facebook. And Warren said they will consider adding signs in the area, too.
Coyote dens might be spotted in a number of locations.
In flat areas like Isle of Palms, it is common to see a den dug up under roots of a fallen tree, in brush areas and on the sides of banks, according to Jay Butfiloski, the furbearer coordinator for the state Department of Natural Resources.
The animals are also known to wander in the dunes on the beach here.
In 2021, a 2-year-old Boykin Spaniel was attacked by four coyotes in the sand dunes on Isle of Palms.
Also in 2021, a Mount Pleasant man said coyotes were to blame for the death of two of his cats in the fenced Sandpiper Point II neighborhood.
Missing or deceased pets are good indicators that coyotes could be nearby.
Officials believe the coyotes on Isle of Palms could be coming from Mount Pleasant and other areas.
The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway between Mount Pleasant and Isle of Palms is not a barrier for the animals, as they can easily cross it, Butfiloski said.
He recommends people do a number of things to protect themselves and their pets from coyotes.
First, people should keep pets on short leashes and don’t leave them unattended outside where coyotes are known to roam the area.
Habitat management can be considered as a control method, too, Butfiloski said.
Clearing out brush in areas that are highly traveled, like in parks and even yards, could prove beneficial. It will reduce the habitat for the small mammals that coyotes prey on and also prevent them from hiding.
The biggest issues with coyotes in developed areas is typically food and trash-related, though. People are encouraged not to leave food outdoors for feral cats, pets or other wild animals.
“That allows a free meal, it allows them (coyotes) to kind of get habituated to people, and that’s where things get to be a problem,” he said.
While more calls come in about coyote sightings on the Isle of Palms during tourist season, statewide coyote sightings are typically higher in the wintertime, partly due to vegetation, lost foliage and increased breeding activities and movements.
There tends to be a decrease in sightings in the summer when the animals are pup rearing.
“When the pups are young, they’re like kids. They don’t care if they’re very visible whenever a den is nearby,” Butfiloski said. “But it might not be an indicator (that) you’ve got a whole bunch more.”
No hunting license or permit is required in South Carolina for people to shoot coyotes on their property within 100 yards of the home. But local municipalities may have other regulations.
Night hunting is permitted on registered properties or with a depredation permit. Trapped coyotes may not be relocated.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Lowcountry Weekend) - What’s worth its weight in gold but light enough to stash in your pocket? A Charleston County Parks Gold Pass! This annual pass rewards park-goers with a year’s worth of great benefits, including unlimited admission to many of your Charleston County parks. But that’s only the beginning…Music lovers and foodies, flash your Gold Pass to enjoy free entry to popular events like the Reggae Nights Summer Concert Series, the Latin American Festival, and the Lowcountry Cajun Fes...
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Lowcountry Weekend) - What’s worth its weight in gold but light enough to stash in your pocket? A Charleston County Parks Gold Pass! This annual pass rewards park-goers with a year’s worth of great benefits, including unlimited admission to many of your Charleston County parks. But that’s only the beginning…
Music lovers and foodies, flash your Gold Pass to enjoy free entry to popular events like the Reggae Nights Summer Concert Series, the Latin American Festival, and the Lowcountry Cajun Festival. Is the Holiday Festival of Lights a can’t-miss part of your Christmas season celebrations? The Gold Pass is good for an evening’s admission to the lights show!
Birdwatchers, your Gold Pass allows you to enroll for free in Early Morning Bird Walks at Caw Caw Interpretive Center. History-minded Gold Pass holders can enter McLeod Plantation Historic Site at no charge, walking the grounds of the carefully preserved, deeply significant Gullah/Geechee heritage site.
On hot summer days, pack your Gold Pass along with your sunscreen to swim and splash for free at the West Ashley Aquatic Center. If strolling through the surf or sunning in the sand is more your speed, your Gold Pass entitles you to free parking at Folly Beach County Park, Isle of Palms County Park, and Kiawah Beachwalker Park.
Gold-bearing bikers and hikers can return again and again to the Wannamaker North Trail, without spending a dime. And just when you think you’ve exhausted all the fun your Charleston County parks can offer (that’s impossible, btw), Gold Pass holders receive $15 off annual memberships to the South Carolina Aquarium!
You can even give the gift of gold—it never goes out of style—when you present a Gold Pass as a housewarming gift for Lowcountry newcomers, a birthday present for a nature-loving friend, an employee perk from an appreciative boss, or a retirement treat for someone making the most of their new chapter in life. Because a Gold Pass makes a wonderful gift for anyone eager to fill their lives with more experiences and less “stuff.”
Best of all, Gold Pass holders are allowed admission of up to 15 people per vehicle for most locations, so you only need one Gold Pass to treat your family, your friends, your neighborhood walking group, your son’s sleepover pals, or any other crew riding in your car to an awesome day in the parks. Larger groups can enjoy the benefits of the Community Bus Gold Pass, available to school groups, daycares, churches, and organizations bringing large buses.
And the savings? They’re as good as gold.
Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.
More than half a million dollars of federal funding is going toward renovating public access at two parks in Charleston.CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - More than half a million dollars of federal funding is going toward renovating public access at two parks in Charleston.In the county, $427,827.50 in federal money is going towards an ADA accessible observation deck on the Isle of Palms, among other improvements. The aging boardwalk, outdoor showers, and railing on walkways will also be replaced ...
More than half a million dollars of federal funding is going toward renovating public access at two parks in Charleston.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - More than half a million dollars of federal funding is going toward renovating public access at two parks in Charleston.
In the county, $427,827.50 in federal money is going towards an ADA accessible observation deck on the Isle of Palms, among other improvements. The aging boardwalk, outdoor showers, and railing on walkways will also be replaced during the project.
For families like the Adkins, this kind of accessibility is essential. Matt and Leslie have two sons, Jace and Braiden, who love the beach. Braiden is in a wheelchair.
“There’s not a lot of point in going out to the beach if we can’t get him out to it. So, every county park beach that we’ve been to, everything we deal with for county parks they always put accessibility at the forefront,” Matt says.
They say the park access to the beach is done so well that it makes it a joy for their family to take in the natural resources the area has to offer. The new observation deck will be closer to the beach.
“Even with this project, it was already accessible, but I love that it wasn’t good enough. They really want to make sure we have the same quality of access that every other person in the community does,” Leslie says.
In the city, $261,000 is going towards renovating docks, boardwalks, and playground equipment at Fort Pemberton. Improvements include improving the restroom, parking, paths and boardwalks, benches, bike racks, picnic tables, swings, drinking fountains and landscaping.
Land, Water & Wildlife Manager at the Coastal Conservation League Rachel Hawes says she lives the in the area of the Fort Pemberton Park, and the community is looking forward to the upgrades. She also says the Coastal Conservation League supports preserving and creating safe access to resources like the waterfront.
“We support and advocate for a nice balance between the two. But given the short supply of public access we are really excited to see these parks be funded – these points of accessibility to be funded, we think it will bring an equitable way for people to reach the water,” Hawes says.
Fort Pemberton Park is along the Stone River and provides a green space to nearby neighborhoods and visitors. Hawes says all parks should create the opportunity for people of all kinds to experience the beauty of Charleston’s nature.
“A lot of us get to work in those natural resources often, but a lot of us don’t. So, getting people out there to see them and have that appreciation for that habitat will hopefully create better stewards of that habitat in the future,” Hawes says.
The total cost for the Fort Pemberton Project is $522,000. The total cost for the Isle of Palms Park Project is $855,655. The money to complete the projects comes from the federal grants as well as local and some state investment.
Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.
COLUMBIA — Widening a 53-mile stretch of Interstate 95 through lower South Carolina is a newly designated priority for keeping freight moving safely to the Georgia border, but a start date is still years away.While the timeline is still to be determined, work to widen the segment between U.S. Highway 17 in Jasper County and Interstate 26 in Orangeburg County to three lanes each way likely won’t start until at least 2030, S.C. Department of Transportation officials say.That’s concerning for state Sen. Chip Camp...
COLUMBIA — Widening a 53-mile stretch of Interstate 95 through lower South Carolina is a newly designated priority for keeping freight moving safely to the Georgia border, but a start date is still years away.
While the timeline is still to be determined, work to widen the segment between U.S. Highway 17 in Jasper County and Interstate 26 in Orangeburg County to three lanes each way likely won’t start until at least 2030, S.C. Department of Transportation officials say.
That’s concerning for state Sen. Chip Campsen, R-Isle of Palms, who questioned whether continued patchwork repairs of “the worst roadbed in the entire state” makes financial sense.
“It is literally falling apart,” he told DOT Secretary Christy Hall following her presentation to senators last week on the status of the state’s highways.
“I actually take (U.S. Highway) 15 instead of the interstate because of the potholes,” said Campsen, whose coastal district extends to Beaufort County.
“I see boat trailers abandoned on the side of the interstate because they’ve busted an axle — their springs broke — because they hit a pothole,” he added. “You better know where the potholes are to safely drive it. I wouldn’t dare drive 70 miles an hour on it.”
DOT is “very much aware of the situation,” Hall said.
The twofold problem is unique to that section of interstate through the Lowcountry. Regular washouts erode where the pavement connects to the interstate shoulder, plus soil that tends to stay wet undermines 30- to 50-foot slabs of concrete that rock and crack under traffic, she said.
“When these slabs break, we try to safen them up as best we can, then bring somebody in to do an overnight repair by removing that slab and replacing it,” she said. “There is some challenge in that because it seems as soon as you fix one, the next one starts to crack.”
The good news, she said, is that much of that cracking is occurring on the southernmost segment where widening work starts next year, and major repairs of the existing lanes south of the I-26 intersection are under contract.
A complete reconstruction has begun of the four lanes — two each way — between the U.S. 17 connection at mile marker 33 and the Walterboro exit at mile marker 68. The $86 million contract includes tree clearing for safety, patching concrete and laying asphalt on top. That work will continue through 2025, said DOT Chief of Staff Justin Powell.
A separate contract of $7.4 million covers patch repairs only on the 18 miles between the Walterboro exit and the I-26 interchange, which started last March and should be done by year’s end.
Widening the first 33 miles from the Georgia border will be done in three stages, wrapping up in 2030 with a total price tag of roughly $1 billion, Hall said.
Work on the first 8 miles, to include replacing the Savannah River bridge, will start in 2024, followed by 13 more miles in 2026. Plans calls for the next 12-mile segment, from mile marker 21 to the Ridgeland exit at U.S. 17, to start in 2028.
That construction was accelerated by a $600 million infusion of state and federal money the Legislature approved last year for the DOT’s existing plan for interstate widening through rural areas.
In addition to the first 33 miles of I-95 completed at least two years ahead of schedule, a 70-mile segment of I-26 between Lexington and Berkeley counties is on track for completion by 2034 — six years sooner than projected.
Speeding up those projects allowed for more to be added to the priority list for rural interstate widening.
Last month, the state DOT Commission added three. Ranked highest among them was the remaining 53-mile stretch of I-95 to the Interstate 26 connection, followed by 29 miles of I-95 from the North Carolina border to Florence exit 170 — the Buc-ee’s travel center exit. Ranking third is a 34-mile stretch of I-26 from the Little Mountain exit in Newberry County to the Interstate 385 split at Exit 51.
It’s important to prioritize the movement of freight through rural South Carolina, not just urban centers, said DOT Deputy Secretary Brent Rewis.
“First and foremost, if South Carolina wants to continue to attract business and increase manufacturing, it’s imperative we have a reliable interstate system. Secondly, we need to improve safety,” he said. “We also want to make sure we have an efficient system. Hopefully, that will help lower costs from a freight perspective. It doesn’t do any good if we have commercial motor vehicles stuck in traffic.”
About 9,500 commercial trucks travel daily on the three stretches that total 116 miles. And over the last five years, there were an average of eight accidents per mile involving commercial trucks, he said.
“The bottom line is, it’s time to expand our rural interstate program,” Rewis told DOT commissioners before they unanimously approved adding the segments to the priority list.
Their addition allows for engineering, environmental studies and long-range planning, not construction in the short term, Powell said.
“A tremendous amount of interstate work is moving forward,” Hall said.
Still, legislators were hoping to hear of more work faster.
“That’s the welcome to South Carolina — at least, when you’re coming from the south,” Campsen said about I-95. “And it’s not a very welcoming welcome mat when you’re coming from Georgia, which has great roads, and then you get to 95 in South Carolina, and it’s like no-man’s land in World War I with the craters.”
Hall reminded senators that South Carolina has the nation’s fourth-largest state highway system serving the third-fastest-growing population.
A 12 cents-per-gallon increase to the state gas tax is funding $3 billion of road and bridge work across the state. Legislators approved the phased-in tax hike in 2017, the first for state gas taxes in 30 years. South Carolina gas taxes, at 28 cents per gallon after the increase fully phased in last July, remain 3.2 cents below Georgia’s and 12.5 cents below North Carolina’s.
“Of course, Georgia has twice the budget and half the responsibility,” Hall told Campsen.
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