Maybank Hwy
Maybank-River Lane Striping and Traffic Signal Timing: The two off-island lanes on Maybank Hwy at the River Rd traffic signal were recently changed from two straight lanes to one straight lane and one right-turn only lane. Since then, off-island traffic at this traffic signal now backs up on Maybank most any time of day and rush hour traffic has gotten worse. This restriping was done to relieve congestion on northbound River Rd, but it had the unintended consequence of increasing the average delay for all traffic.
Solution: Revert back to two lanes going off-island and adjust the right-turn signal on northbound River Rd as needed.
Zipper Merge Signage: The off-island traffic flow on Maybank Hwy near Fenwick Hall Allee is impeded by improper zipper merging.
Solution: Add prominent directional and zipper merge signage. The signs must be large and numerous.
Main Road
Main Road Traffic Signal Timing: Due to the timing of the traffic signals at Brownwood Rd and at Maybank Hwy, morning inbound rush hour traffic routinely backs up on Main Rd past Mark Ann Point Rd (over 1.5 miles). Similarly, due to the traffic signal timing at Maybank Hwy, evening outbound rush hour traffic on Bohicket Rd routinely backs up past Plow Ground Rd (over 1 mile). Yet cross-traffic on Maybank Hwy and Brownwood Rd has very little backup.
Solution: Redo the timing of these two traffic signals to greatly reduce the delays for Main Rd and Bohicket Rd traffic.
Maybank-Folly Traffic Signal Timing: Morning rush hour traffic (going downtown) routinely backs up on Maybank Hwy past Fleming Rd (over 0.5 miles), yet cross-traffic on Folly Rd has very little backup.
Solution: Redo the timing of the traffic signal at the Maybank-Folly intersection to give equal preference to Maybank Hwy traffic. Since this traffic signal is part of a larger system of traffic signals (from St Andrews Blvd to south of Maybank Hwy), this retiming would have to be looked at within the context of this system of traffic signals.
Folly Road Right-Hand Turn Lanes: Evening rush hour traffic on Folly Rd (coming off the Wappoo bridge onto James Island) significantly backs up in the right-hand lane to turn right onto Maybank Hwy. This backup is often past Formosa Dr (almost a mile).
Solution: For traffic on Folly Rd crossing the Wappoo Bridge onto James Island, allow the two right turn lanes to turn right onto Maybank Hwy. (Currently only a single lane is permitted to turn right).
Curve Warning Signs: Due to speeding, distractions, or other reasons, curves are the most dangerous stretches of our roads.
Solution: Install prominent flashing caution signs at the following curves: on Main Rd by Mary Ann Rd, on Southwick Rd by Castlewick Rd, and on Brownswood by Island Estates Dr, Maple Grove Dr, Comsee ln and Killfish Rd.
Increase Traffic Enforcement: Speeding and red-light running are rampant on Johns Island.
Solution: Traffic enforcement must be greatly increased.
