Charleston's long-awaited Lowcountry Lowline is finally taking shape along the old rail bed that has sat dormant on the peninsula for two decades. City officials say construction began in October 2026 and is expected to take about 21 months, with crews currently excavating soil and laying down clean, sandy mixed fill as part of phase one's earthwork. Public access to the finished linear park is expected by the beginning of 2028.
The project is designed to transform a 1.7-mile abandoned railway corridor, which once ran under Interstate 26, into a long, narrow park offering a dedicated route for walking and biking, according to WCIV. The rail line closed in 2004, and Charleston purchased the land from Norfolk Southern in 2017 before City Council approved a master conceptual plan in 2020. Ground was broken on the project in December 2025, and the station reports construction is now proceeding in segments from north to south.
Crews Push Through Phase One Earthwork
Chase Anderson, senior project manager with the city of Charleston's capital projects office, described the Lowline as a major piece of infrastructure and said the work has progressed as planned even though visible changes were limited over the prior year. During that stretch, the station's report notes, crews installed construction fencing and silt fencing, cleared land, and built parking lots at Eugene Street and Shepherd Street while design fine-tuning and construction permitting took place behind the scenes.
“We're moving rapidly, and we're staying on schedule,” Anderson said, per the same account. Phase one work, focused on excavating soil and bringing in clean, sandy mixed soil, is expected to wrap up in August 2027. City officials are aiming to begin phase two in May 2027, with that stage covering sidewalls, plantings, lighting and site furnishings along the stretch from Mount Pleasant to Sheppard Street, and wrapping up in December 2027.
Costs And Timelines Have Shifted Along The Way
The project's price tag has been described with varying levels of detail as the Lowline has progressed. An earlier report from ABC News 4 put total project costs between $34 million and $36 million, while the Post and Courier later reported the project expected to cost upwards of $20 million. The Post and Courier also reported that Charleston City Council unanimously approved a $2 million update for Lowline work on Sept. 22, 2026, and that the construction contract with Edifice Construction LLC has now been updated five times, tallying more than $10.3 million.
Phase-one completion expectations have also lengthened over time. An April 2025 report from ABC News 4 said the phase could be done in about eight months, while a December 2025 report pointed to a one-year estimate; the Post and Courier's more recent coverage says that benchmark is now set for August 2027.
A Third Phase Remains Unfunded
A proposed third phase would cover the Bradford Park area and include a public restroom building, but city officials say that stage is not funded at this time, per WCIV's report. Earlier Post and Courier coverage had suggested the larger Bradford Park phase could be completed by summer 2028, though the latest reporting makes clear that phase still lacks funding.
For residents living and working nearby, the appeal is straightforward. Kelly Trejo, who works in downtown Charleston, said she's happy the project is happening, especially because she has a child. Skylar Pope, who lives downtown, said she's excited about the prospect of more greenspace and walking paths since she enjoys walking. College of Charleston student Tiffany Nguyen said she expects the project to bring the community together and provide a gathering space.
Anderson said the Lowline is expected to improve mobility and connect neighborhoods across the Charleston peninsula, giving residents a way to reach downtown without driving and hunting for parking. With phase one earthwork underway and phase two on deck for next spring, city officials are betting that two decades of waiting on the old rail corridor will finally pay off with a public opening in early 2028.
