Public Works

KIAWAH ISLAND PARKWAY
In December 1995, the Town of Kiawah Island took ownership of a portion of the Kiawah Island Parkway (KIP) from the intersection at the Betsy Kerrison Parkway up to the intersection at Beachwalker Road. By taking ownership, the Town took over the responsibilities of road, landscaping and bridge maintenance. The Town contracts with the Community Association to provide landscaping services.

In December 1996, the Town was involved with a committee to study the Betsy Kerrison-Kiawah Island Parkway intersection. The final report indicated that a roundabout would be a viable alternative to the current intersection. Construction is slated to begin in September 2004 and will involve installation of a 200' diameter roundabout and replacement of the Haulover Creek culvert.

The development of the Andell property could also change the nature of the KIP. On November 24, 1998, the Town Council approved a curb cut into the Cassique and on March 28, 2002, a curb cut into Fresh Fields was approved with conditions. This curb cut has been installed.

Further development of the Andell property and of Kiawah Island may require major changes to this roadway. A Kiawah Island Parkway Master Plan was approved in 2003. The Plan includes roadway widening, inclusion of landscaped medians and rights-of-way, and an 8' wide bike path connecting the existing path located at the General Store on Beachwalker Drive to the new Freshfields commercial development located approximately two miles away. Engineering of the plan will commence in the fall of 2004. Implementation of the entire plan or of individual parts, e.g. the bike path only, could commence as early as the first part of 2005.

BEACHWALKER DRIVE
In July 1998, the Town took ownership of Beachwalker Road. As with the Kiawah Island Parkway, the Town also took on the responsibilities of road and landscape maintenance and maintenance of the leisure trail.