Editing Interstate 526 (section)

==Future==
The proposed missing section of I-526 was the subject of an environmental study that was completed in early 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dot.state.sc.us/i526/ |title=SCDOT - I-526 - Welcome to the Mark Clark Expressway! |publisher=SCDOT |date=September 30, 2010 |access-date=May 20, 2013}}</ref> Various alternative routings and options are being reviewed, but the general plan is to extend south from [[U.S. Route 17 in South Carolina|US&nbsp;17]] to [[Johns Island, South Carolina|Johns Island]] and then east to [[James Island (South Carolina)|James Island]], where it will connect with [[South Carolina Highway 30|SC&nbsp;30]] (possibly renumbering it). Some alternatives shown include the possibility that it will be built in [[Limited-access road|expressway]] grade instead, falling short of being labeled an Interstate Highway.<ref>{{cite map |format=PDF|author= Staff |url= http://www.scdot.org/MCE/pdfs/RPA_Overview.pdf |title= RPA Overview |work= Mark Clark Expressway Environmental Impact Study |publisher= South Carolina Department of Transportation |access-date= May 20, 2013}}</ref>

Citing Charleston County's inability to provide funds to cover the project's increased cost, the State Transportation Infrastructure Bank (SIB) board voted on May&nbsp;26, 2016, to abandon the proposed extension of I-526 across James and Johns Islands.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/the-buzz/article80057052.html|title=S.C. agency moves to walk away from Charleston's I-526 extension}}</ref>

In 2021, SCDOT revived the 526-extension project. As of May 2023, they are aiming to start construction by 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scdotmarkclark.com/the-latest |title=The Latest- Mark Clark Extension|publisher=South Carolina Department of Transportation|access-date=April 22, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Harris |first1=Anna |title=SCDOT breaks down the costs of the I-526 extension |url=https://www.live5news.com/2023/01/27/scdot-breaks-down-costs-i-526-extension/ |access-date=20 July 2023 |work=www.live5news.com |date=27 January 2023 |language=en}}</ref> In December 2023, the South Carolina Joint Bond Review Committee approved the state's Transportation Infrastructure Bank's action Tuesday afternoon of providing $75 million for preliminary costs in the project, which is dubbed the ''Mark Clark Extension Project''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Emily |title=SC Committee approves $75 million toward I-526 extension, includes stipulation |url=https://www.live5news.com/2023/12/05/sc-committee-approves-75-million-toward-i-526-extension-includes-stipulation/ |access-date=10 March 2024 |work=www.live5news.com |date=5 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

On May 12th, 2025, the SIB voted once again to abandon the project, citing Charleston County's failure to pass a half-percent sales tax to help fund the project.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Slade |first1=David |title=The 526 Mark Clark Extension project is no more, officially killed by state officials Monday |url=https://www.postandcourier.com/news/mark-clark-extension-526-charleston-county-land/article_4197ad20-4dc7-44e6-82aa-eeebe133c16e.html |access-date=14 May 2025 |work=The Post and Courier |date=12 May 2024 |language=en}}</ref>