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In addition to our advocacy efforts, we seek to keep our fellow Islanders informed on transportation infrastructure activities on our Island. We hope you find this monthly update of consolidated State, County, and City information useful.
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Upper River Road Repaving
If you travel along upper River Road you may have noticed it is being patched. We were told by the County that this patching work is being completed by the SCDOT under a full-depth patching contract. The County is in the process of working with SCDOT on a pavement design for resurfacing this section. They are aiming to complete the resurfacing later this year. If you have any questions you can contact Mackenzie Kelley, the County's Pavement Manager.
We reached out to County Councilmembers and senior Staff (see our letter here) about the repaving but they have not gotten back with us to setup a meeting. We will continue to reach out to them. In the meantime, we encourage you to email them here* requesting they concentrate their efforts on the portion of River Road from Brownswood to Maybank, especially widening the shoulders.
* If you have difficulties with the email address above, here are the email addresses for Councilmembers Joe Boykin and Jenny Honeycutt, as well as for Deputy Administrator for Public Services Jim Armstrong:
Main Road Corridor Segment C (aka Bohicket Road)
The County published their latest level of service (LOS) assessment for Segment C. Their previous LOS assessment can be found here. We have asked our consultants, Rick Hall and Norm Marshall, to review the new assessment and provide us with their feedback. We will include their assessment in our next newsletter.
If you have any questions you can contact Alex Owsiak who is the County's new project lead for Segment C.
Mary Ann Point Safety Study
The road safety study the County is performing for Main Road at Mary Ann Point Road is being reanalyzed to include the curve as requested by Rational Roads. The yellow pins in the graphic above show the location of nine fatal collisions since 2010 in this stretch of road. It is anticipated a final report will be completed in the next two weeks.
Savannah Highway
On February 28th County Councilmember Kylon Middleton and County Staff held a meeting with the West Ashley community to discuss proposed changes to Savannah Highway inside Interstate 526. Even though this does not directly impact Johns Island, it was interesting to note the response of the community.
The purpose of the Savannah Highway Capacity and Intersection Improvement Project is to "improve traffic flow, safety, and pedestrian access at key intersections along the corridor". The project is funded by the 2016 Half-Cent Sales Tax.
Although there are three intersections the County wants to change, the only one the community expressed opposition to was the one in Avondale (see the image above).
The primary concern was that the County seemed more interested in moving cars through their community rather than enhancing the community for the existing residents. Sound familiar? This has been a concern of Rational Roads from day one for the Main Road Corridor Project Segment C (aka Bohicket Road).
We had three key observations. First, the purpose of the project included improving safety, something that was not included for Segment C.
Second, the County has level of service (LOS) data to support the improvements in traffic flow. However, they didn't present any data to show the improvements in safety, despite being asked by members of the audience to do so. As someone said to us later, "If you can't measure it, you can't improve it".
Third, Councilmember Middleton said County Council has changed the purpose of projects in the past. If the community wants that to happen for this intersection he will work with other Councilmembers to make it happen. He also said this would occur only if the community engaged with the other Councilmembers and showed up at Council meetings. Another Rational Roads recurring theme.
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Mark Clark Extension (aka 526): The County must develop a plan to fund their portion of the project and to also cover cost overruns, litigation, bond servicing, and improvements to River Road. The Joint Bond Review Committee must also approve the State Infrastructure Bank to provide the $75M matching funds. Unknown timeline.
Main Road and Mary Ann Point Road Intersection: Determine what improvements will be made, funding, and schedule by the end of March.
Maybank Hwy at Fenwick Hall Allee: Install temporary traffic signal by the end of March.
Main Road Corridor Segment C (aka Bohicket Road): The County will hold a public meeting in the Spring of 2023.
Main Road Corridor Segment A (aka 17 and Main flyover): Design-build contract to be awarded in Q3 of 2023.
Northern Pitchfork: Complete by end of 2023 or early 2024.
Upper River Road (Main to Maybank): Repave in 2023.
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Consolidated Johns Island Transportation Project Schedule
There is some uncertainty in this schedule, especially for projects that are further out in time. For example:
- The duration of Segment C of the Main Road Corridor Project will vary based upon which alternative is chosen.
- The start of the Mark Clark Extension is dependent upon funding.
Details of Johns Island Transportation Projects
Our website has details on all the transportation projects on Johns Island. If you are looking for specific activities, here are some quick links:
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Collisions
Mark Clark Extension (aka 526)
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