It’s going to span only a few thousand feet and will take just another 10 months to complete, but when finished, the new All American Boulevard is expected to not only alleviate Mount Pleasant’s growing traffic density on U.S. 17, but also to better connect area neighborhoods, businesses and services.
“All American Boulevard will provide an alternative route… making it easier for residents to reach essential amenities,” said Town of Mount Pleasant Transportation Operations Division Chief Molli LeMin. “It will provide facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, creating a more functional, safe and interconnected community.”
LeMin added that by diverting traffic to All American Boulevard, traffic flow on U.S. 17 is expected to be smoother from decreased traffic volumes and by “minimizing turning movements from Lexington Drive, George Browder Boulevard and Park West Boulevard, which currently disrupt traffic flow on U.S. 17.”
All American Boulevard will connect from its current end near Wholesale Appliance to the roundabout at Park West Boulevard near U.S. 17. Clearing for the new project began Aug. 19, and the entire connecting length will run for 3,231 feet, approximately two-thirds of a mile.
Originally planned for two phases, it will instead be constructed in its entirety in a single stage. The total estimated cost is approximately $5.29 million, which includes a $1.75 million installation of a new water main, funded by and installed for Mount Pleasant Waterworks.
“Expected completion date is August 2025,” LeMin said. She added that the project got the green light only after an extensive timeline, due to funding limitations. “Phase 1 planning and design started in June 2009 and was completed in June 2011,” she said. “But the project was then shelved due to lack of funding.”
When funding became available, Phase 2 initiated, with planning and design starting in April 2018 and completed in June 2020. The boulevard was again placed on hold until funding for construction could be determined. In 2021 the town forecasted that the project could be fully funded for construction through its Capital Improvement Plan.
“The project was then advertised for construction in February 2024 and the contract for construction was executed in April of 2024,” LeMin said.
Even though it is contained in only one small area of Mount Pleasant, All American Boulevard was so named to honor Mount Pleasant military heroes killed in the ongoing Global War on Terrorism.
Local servicemen honored so far include:
- Maj. Edward J. Murphy, Operation Enduring Freedom, Ghazni, Afghanistan, April 6, 2005
- Capt. Richard G. Cliff Jr., Operation Enduring Freedom, Yakhchal, Afghanistan, Sept. 29, 2008
- Sgt. Adam M. Wenger, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Tunnis, Iraq, Nov. 5, 2008
“The primary purpose of the project is to improve traffic congestion on U.S. 17,” LeMin said. “But additionally important is providing an alternative route that connects neighborhoods and businesses.”
By L. C. Leach III
Total waste of money. Focus on widening highway 41 and put in flyovers at the intersection of 17 and 41. Have you seen the massive amount of traffic coming from Berkeley county? AND, the explosion of houses and apartments and condos on Clements Ferry Road will make things worse. AND, schools are not even in session now!!