Lowcountry Rapid Transit Construction
Lowcountry Rapid Transit (LCRT) is anticipated to begin construction in 2027. The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) and South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) have been preparing the system’s final construction plans and anticipate construction advertisements in early 2027.
Construction Opportunities
The construction of LCRT will bring opportunities for contractors and construction industry organizations across the region, state, and country to build a first-of-its-kind bus rapid transit (BRT) system in the state of South Carolina. LCRT's construction will transform the Lowcountry region, implementing 21.3 miles of transit infrastructure and roadway improvements in Charleston and North Charleston.
The system includes roadway reconstruction, drainage improvements, sidewalk & shared-use path infrastructure, utility relocations and improvements, 20 modern stations, dedicated BRT lanes, transit signal upgrades, specialized maintenance facility, park and ride, a dedicated fleet of 60-foot articulated vehicles to transport passengers, and many other advanced technologies and features that support BRT service. Learn more about the system’s features and route on our About page.
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BCDCOG and SCDOT are excited to share more information and details on upcoming opportunities with contractors and industry organizations as we approach procurement for LCRT construction.
The project team will be communicating regularly and holding various webinars and industry forum events in the coming months to continue sharing key updates regarding these opportunities. To stay informed, please sign up for our Industry mailing list below.
Signing up for the Industry Mailing List is not a requirement to bid on any LCRT construction opportunities.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities for Input
SCDOT Industry Open Forum
SCDOT will hold an open forum meeting on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, with prospective proposers interested in submitting bids on the SCDOT led LCRT corridor contract. The purpose of this meeting will be to collect information on the construction industry’s interest in the project and to improve the construction industry’s understanding of the project requirements.
The open-forum meeting will take place from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. at the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments building located at 5790 Casper Padgett Way, North Charleston, SC 29406. SCDOT staff will also be available for one-on-one meetings with prospective proposers for the remainder of the day and the following day if needed. One-on-one meetings will be scheduled in 1-hour increments. Meeting times will be assigned on a first-request basis.
This meeting is not mandatory and will not have bearing on the potential short-listing process.
Registration for the open forum meeting and one-on-one meetings is online at https://forms.office.com/g/bfRyCb3V28.
Any questions regarding this open-forum meeting should be directed to Brooks Bickley and Carmen Wright with the South Carolina Department of Transportation by email at bickleybj@scdot.gov and wrightcl@scdot.gov or at 955 Park Street, Room 421, Columbia, SC 29201. Persons with disabilities who may require special accommodations should contact the SCDOT hotline at 855-Go-SCDOT (855-467-2368) for any information or inquiries.SCDOT Request for Information
Due to the size and scope of work for the SCDOT led corridor contract, we are looking for feedback from the contracting community. SCDOT has posted the RFI online in advance of the open forum with the intent to collect information on the industry’s interest in the LCRT project opportunity, gauge the industry’s perspective on the approach, and spur conversation during one-on-one meetings.
Written responses prior to or during the one-on-one meetings are not required; however, any written responses provided to SCDOT will become public record for the project.
The RFI can be found online on SCDOT’s website at https://scdot.org/content/scdot-legacy/us/en/business/lcrt.html.
Anticipated Construction Contracts
LCRT’s construction will include roadway reconstruction and improvements and transit-related construction, such as bus stations and facilities. SCDOT and BCDCOG will be advertising separate contracts to construct the project, which are categorized and detailed below.
SCDOT Contract Opportunities
Anticipated Procurement Timing: Q1 2027
This will be the main construction contract for the LCRT corridor. Key elements of this contract include:
- 11 miles of roadway reconstruction
- As a BRT system, LCRT’s roadway construction will include the implementation of dedicated BRT lanes. Examples of the roadway treatment typical sections can be found in our most recent Contractor Presentation.
- Sidewalk and shared-use path development
- Utility relocation
- Approximately 70 traffic signal upgrades
- 19 transit station locations*
- LCRT’s stations will include a canopy, raised platforms, lighting, and technology such as CCTV cameras, ticket vending equipment, and real-time information displays.
*Separate contract will be issued to construct the Park & Ride at the northern end of the route.
Anticipated Procurement Timing: Q4 2026/Q1 2027
This will be the contract for Construction Engineering & Inspection (CE&I) services, overseeing the LCRT Corridor Construction. This contract will include:
- Project oversight
- Quality assurance
- Documentation
- Safety and compliance
BCDCOG Contract Opportunities
Anticipated Procurement Timing: Winter 2026
This will be the contract to build the system’s Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF), which will be located near I-26 and the northern end of the LCRT route. This work will include:
- Vertical structure of the OMF
- More information about the OMF construction and statistics can be found in our most recent Contractor Presentation.
- Bus fueling station
- Site development
*Separate contract will be issued to construct the Park & Ride at the northern end of the route.
Anticipated Timing: Fall/Winter 2026
This will be the contract to procure the buses that will be used for LCRT operations. This would include:
- 21 60-foot articulated buses
- Dual-sided boarding (i.e., five doors)
- 14-inch level boarding height
Anticipated Procurement Timing: TBD
This will be the contract to construct a Park & Ride location for the LCRT system. Key elements of this contract will include:
- Site/civil design
- Utility work
- Vertical structure for transit station
- Operator rest facility
Anticipated Timing: TBD
These contracts will include the procurement of:
- The entity that will operate LCRT
- Systems infrastructure and/or integration for LCRT operations (i.e., ticket vending, etc.)
- Construction administration for the Park & Ride and OMF
Industry Resources and Presentations
Additional Resources
Learn more about LCRT’s construction and upcoming procurement.
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