Arctic Avenue Plan
where mobility meets the beach
addressing what matters
The City of Folly Beach is working to improve safety, mobility, and accessibility for all users along Arctic Avenue. This oceanfront street provides year-round beach access and parking for the city’s residents and visitors. Pedestrians, bicyclists, golf carts, and vehicles use this two-lane, one-way road. The variety of user types increases congestion and the risk of accidents.
The Arctic Avenue Plan will address these concerns by studying the current use of the street and proposing strategic improvements that benefit everyone. The project design team completed a traffic study, observed high-risk roadway features during walking audits, and conducted a public involvement plan. The City used this information to determine a preferred alternative that includes evidence-based and cost-effective safety treatments to balance vehicular access with the needs of vulnerable roadway users.
The preferred alternative features:
A 12-foot multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists
Curb extensions and high-visibility crosswalks to enhance safety
Raised crossings and beacons to improve driver awareness
Marked parking with buffers at driveways and crosswalks to protect vulnerable users
Corridor-wide signing and marking updates for consistent navigation and safety compliance
your perspective
To develop the Arctic Avenue Plan, the City of Folly Beach needs community input. We want to know how you use Arctic Avenue and the types of issues you see. Throughout the Plan’s development, the City will host public meetings and request feedback.
We hosted our first public meeting on June 29, 2023 to hear your thoughts on ways to improve safety, mobility, and accessibility along Arctic Avenue. Head to the public meetings page to learn more about this meeting and the results of the public comment period.
Our second public meeting took place on October 19, 2023. Click here for more details.