Mathews Drive Roadway Widening
& Pathway Project Overview

This project will improve Mathews Drive from Marshland Road to Beach City Road.  Mathews Drive will be widened from two lanes to a three-lane divided section with raised landscaped medians and left turn lanes.  Roundabouts will be built at the intersections of Beach City Road, Marshland Road and the Bi-Lo / Woodlake Villas. The Mathews Drive/ US 278 intersection will be improved to allow dual left turns from Mathews Drive.   Multi-use pathways will be built on both sides of the road from Marshland to US 278 and one side from US 278 to Beach City Road.  Boardwalks will be built to traverse the ponds in front of Mathews Court.  Substantial storm drainage improvements will be constructed as part of the project to mitigate flooding and enhance water quality.  A streetscape and landscaping plan be the final phase of construction. 

Project Phases

Planning Phase (February, 2005 – October, 2005)
Town staff has completed the planning and traffic analysis phase with URS of Atlanta.  The preliminary plans are based on traffic analysis, congestion, safety, and input received at public meetings

Design Phase (November, 2005 - January 2008)
The southern phase was designed and permitted, working with Coleman-Snow Consultants.  Work continues on the design and permitting of the other phases.

Real Estate Phase (TBD)
The Town Attorney will be working with property owners on the northern phase as soon as preliminary design plans are approved and plats maps are produced.  

Bid Phase (TBD)
During the bid phase, final specifications will be prepared and quantities of materials will be determined.  Final plans and specifications will be used for soliciting bids from contractors in accordance with the Town’s procurement code. The southern phase was bid three times before an acceptable, responsive proposal was received.  These solicitations were done this past October, January and March.  The Town reserved the right to amend APAC’s contract to continue work on the other phases.  If this is not done, the northern phase should bid in spring of 2008 and the Marshland Roundabout bid in the summer of 2010, once the Children’s Center has relocated.

Phase 1 Construction Cost:  $6.95 million (9/17/07 – 9/16/08)
Coleman-Snow Consultants of Charleston will assist the Town in managing the construction.  Notice to proceed was issued to APAC Southeast on Phase 1, with construction beginning on September 17, 2007 and a contract deadline of September 16, 2008.   

Phase 2 Construction Cost:  (TBD)
US 278 to Beach City Road

Phase 3 Construction Cost:  TBD)
Marshland Road roundabout

Project Objectives

• Implementation of the Chaplin Initiative Area Plan
• Improve traffic safety by widening to a divided section with left turn lanes and adding three roundabouts at strategic intersections
• Improve pedestrian and bicycle safety multi-use pathways, planting strips, and sidewalks
• Improve the storm water management by improving the infrastructure
• Improve water quality by adding a hydrodynamic separator device
• Streetscape / Beautification through landscaping, pathway and other amenities
• Economic development in the area should be stimulated by these streetscape and infrastructure improvements
• Improved intersection at US 278
• Traffic signals on Mast Arms at Us 278
• Reduce traffic congestion
• Traffic Calming
• Bury overhead utilities
• Minimize property impacts
• Minimize environmental impacts
• Minimize utility impacts

Project Contact

Project Area