The I-526 Extension Is Officially Dead — What It Means for Johns Island, James Island, and Charleston Real Estate

After decades of debate, lawsuits, land purchases, and rising costs, the Mark Clark (I-526) Extension project is officially off the table.

On May 12, state officials voted unanimously to cancel the project, ending Charleston County’s participation in the long-delayed plan to extend I-526 from West Ashley through Johns Island and over to James Island. The final cost estimate had soared to over $2.3 billion.

The proposed extension was meant to provide a long-awaited third route on and off the islands — but now, the region will have to find another way to deal with traffic, growth, and future development.

🚧 Why This Matters

If you live on — or are thinking of moving to — Johns Island, James Island, Kiawah, Seabrook, or Wadmalaw, this affects you.

Currently, there are just two bridges connecting these islands to the mainland. With 25,000+ residents on Johns Island alone (up from 15,000 in 2010), plus resort traffic, that means bottlenecks are part of daily life — and this project was supposed to be a major fix.

Now that it’s canceled, Charleston County and the state will need to turn their attention to alternative projects, like:

• A $354M overhaul of the Main Road & Hwy 17 interchange (underway through 2028)

• Maybank Highway improvements

• Long-term strategies to handle continued growth on the islands

🏡 What It Means for Real Estate

The Mark Clark Extension was a double-edged sword for homeowners:

• 🚗 Some were counting on better traffic flow and shorter commutes

• 🛑 Others were concerned about overdevelopment and sprawl

With the extension canceled, Johns Island may maintain more of its rural charm and conservation feel — but traffic issues will persist.

Buyers and investors need to look closely at how infrastructure plans evolve, especially when considering long-term value in communities like:

• The Preserve at Fenwick

• Kiawah River

• Grimball Gates

• Sea Island Preserve

💬 Final Thought

Whether you were for or against the I-526 extension, one thing is clear: Charleston’s population is growing, and our infrastructure has to keep up. As a local Realtor, I stay on top of changes like this so I can help my clients make informed decisions — about commute times, resale value, and which neighborhoods are best for their lifestyle.