Sutton and Stavrinakis applaud step toward safer West Ashley–North Charleston connection
from Staff Reports
While construction continues across the Ashley River Bridge heading downtown, big changes could also be on the horizon for one of Charleston’s most vital and aging links connecting West Ashley and North Charleston. Last month, the Charleston Area Transportation Study (CHATS) Policy Committee voted to support replacing the 70-year-old Cosgrove Avenue/North Bridge and to ensure that any new design includes safe pedestrian and bicycle access—similar to the popular shared pathway on the Ravenel Bridge.
The resolution, adopted Monday, Oct. 20, marks an important step in a long-awaited effort to improve connectivity and safety across the Ashley River.
State Senator Ed Sutton, who represents West Ashley, called it “big news for the future of West Ashley and North Charleston” in a Facebook post.
“This is one of the first key steps in what will be a long process, but it’s an important milestone,” Sutton said. “If done right, this bridge won’t just replace old infrastructure—it can become a new symbol of West Ashley and a gateway to the next generation of Charleston connectivity.”
The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) recently added the North Bridge, its interchanges, and the I-26 overpass to the State Bridge Program—a move strongly supported by Sutton and State Representative Leon Stavrinakis.
According to Sutton, the CHATS resolution affirms the group’s commitment to “safe pedestrian and bicycle accommodations” in the new design, which references a host of regional plans that have long called for better multimodal connections across the Ashley River, such as Plan West Ashley, WalkBike BCD, and the CHATS 2045 Long-Range Transportation Plan.
For years, local leaders and advocacy groups have explored ways to retrofit the current Cosgrove Bridge to accommodate walkers and cyclists safely, but multiple studies have shown it’s not feasible within the structure’s existing constraints. The newly adopted resolution urges SCDOT to prioritize a full replacement that can meet modern standards for safety, accessibility, and sustainability.
If funded and executed as envisioned, the new bridge would provide a vital connection for commuters, cyclists, and pedestrians traveling between two of the region’s most rapidly growing communities—transforming what’s now a car-dominated route into a true multi-use gateway.
