47 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com 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 Highway 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 Highway 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 Highway 17.” All American Boulevard will connect from its current end near Wholesale Appliance to the roundabout at Park West Boulevard near Highway 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 All American Boulevard New traffic route honors local military heroes BY L. C. LEACH III
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