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How the Low Line will reconnect Charleston
I-26...some see it as the main artery of Charleston’s infrastructure, providing crucial connectivity between the tri-counties. Others see it as more of a pain in the you-know-what, drawing a line down the center of downtown, and in doing so, creating major division between its neighborhoods.
But that all could soon change – with the construction of the Lowcountry Low Line.
What: Over a mile + a half of railroad that’s no longer in use. The Low Line would convert the railroad into to a walkable, linear park. It would, in part, serve as a pedestrian bridge across the “fault line” forged by the construction of I-26. Think: NYC’s High Line… but ground-level.
When: The project is very much in its infancy, so a completion date hasn’t been set yet— but the organization Friends of the Lowcountry Low Line did lay out a step-by-step plan for getting it all done. The city of Charleston checked a crucial part of step one off the list this past December when it purchased right-of-way for the tracks from Norfolk Southern.
How: The Friends of the Lowcountry Low Line will work with the surrounding communities, local + national philanthropic organizations, + the city to raise funds, design, + build the proposed park. While the price tag is still TBD, both state + federal grants will be sought out to assist in covering costs.
Impact on Charleston: Right now, the city isn’t making any money off of the land— but a study projects the Low Line could generate upwards of five billion dollars in total economic output (including $90 million in total additional tourism spending). Perhaps more importantly, by making the park accessible for cyclists + pedestrians alike, the Low Line would improve accessibility to the entire peninsula— potentially relieving traffic on the roads, + giving nearby businesses a boost.