Resolution addresses safety issues on Main, Bohicket and River roads
One thing was clear to Charleston County Councilman Curtis Bostic
after listening to residents at a public meeting on a possible toll road
across Johns Island earlier this month: Most people who live on or travel
through Johns Island think the main roads are dangerous.
Bostic said he hasn't decided whether he supports building a toll road,
known as the Sea Islands Parkway. But even if the County Council decides to
build it, he said, something must be done to improve safety on Main,
Bohicket and River roads and the Betsy Kerrison Parkway. Those are state,
not county roads, he said, so the state needs to know what local residents
think about them.
Bostic proposed and County Council approved a resolution Thursday to
encourage the Charleston County Legislative Delegation's Roads and Bridges
Committee to consider what kinds of safety mechanisms it can put in place to
make Johns Island roads safer.
"If we're going to be a prudent government, we have to share information
we've gleaned with state government," Bostic said.
Councilman Paul Thurmond said he supports letting the state know what
residents say about roads on Johns Island. But he still strongly supports
building the toll road.
"Congestion is the main reason we are dealing with such a terrific safety
issue," he said, "and a cross-island parkway would deal with congestion."
Alex Dadok, a project manager for the Coastal Conservation League, after
Thursday's meeting said, "this is a great resolution."
The environmental group thinks the county should deal with the roads people
use most before building new ones, Dadok said. "No matter what happens,
people are going to use those roads," he said.
The council also approved awarding a $37 million contract to design and
build the second phase of the Palmetto Parkway to Banks/Joint Venture. The
company was one of three that bid on the project.
When completed, the parkway will connect Ladson and Ashley Phosphate roads.
The first phase was completed in 2007. It begins at Ladson Road and ends
near Patriot Boulevard. The second phase will extend the parkway to Ashley
Phosphate Road. The entire project should be complete in July 2010.
|
My
Scribe