Proposal rules out extended highway on I-526
Conservation League plan would fix 5 problem areas
Extending Interstate 526 won't be necessary if the state simply improves roads and intersections at five different points in West Ashley and on James and Johns islands, Coastal Conservation League leaders say.
The environmental group has submitted its 59-page proposal to the S.C. Department of Transportation, the agency responsible for the I-526 project. The league hopes its plan will be on a narrowed-down list of "reasonable alternatives" released this spring.
The Post and Courier
"Our plan will cost significantly less money, have less environmental impact and more economic development" than the $420 million proposal to extend the expressway across parts of James and Johns islands, said Megan Derosiers, the league's director of conservation programs. She said the league's plan will cost less than $220 million.
The group soon will complete an in-depth cost estimate on the proposal, she said.
David Kinard, project manager for DOT, said the agency now is looking more closely at 22 options it presented to the public last fall, the Coastal Conservation League's proposal and a new plan that the city of Charleston recently submitted.
The city's plan includes building a parkway, not an expressway, along the path originally proposed for the extension of I-526. The parkway would not be elevated, Charleston Mayor Joe Riley said, and would have speed limits of about 35 mph.
Kinard said DOT likely will narrow the list of alternatives to between four and eight proposals, then hold another round of public meetings in the spring to get citizens' reactions.
CCL's alternative
Coastal Conservation League's proposed alternative to extending I-526 (56 page PDF)
The short list of proposals will include those that best reduce congestion and improve safety on existing roads, improve regional mobility, limit the number of people and businesses that must relocate and reduce the impact on the area's wetlands, Kinard said. The department will determine an estimated cost of only those projects it places on the list of reasonable alternatives.
Derosiers said the league and a team of consultants from the Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin firm, looked at the traffic on Savannah Highway in West Ashley and on parts of James and Johns islands and located the five spots where it snarled the most. The group then developed ways to fix those particular areas.
"Our alternative would solve more problems," Derosiers said. "It addresses the causes of the traffic snarls."
City's new proposal
The city of Charleston recently submitted a new proposal for an "at-grade," not elevated, parkway, with speed limits of about 35 miles per hour along the original approved route for I-526. (PDF)
The plan includes improvements to two places on Savannah Highway, one near where it connects with I-526 and the other between Canterbury and Betsy roads. It would add a center median to improve turning, consolidate businesses' driveways to improve traffic flow, and build smaller streets just off the highway to give cars another route to travel. Some of those roads could be paid for by DOT and other would be financed privately.
Josh Martin, the league's program director, said the plan also calls for developing hubs of small businesses and some housing along the highway instead of large stores such as Kmart with huge open parking lots. That would make the area economically stronger, he said.
The league's plan also calls for building networks of smaller roads at two intersections on James Island, one at Maybank Highway and the other at the James Island connector. The additional smaller roads would not only create more capacity for cars but also would divert traffic from some of the most congested intersections, Martin said.
Reader poll
Regarding the extension of I-526, the state Department of Transportation should:
- Consider all proposed alternative routes 29% 136 votes
- Just build it 70% 319 votes
455 total votes.
And instead of a giant mound of dirt where the Connector meets Folly Road, the plan calls for a boulevard, with a median and sidewalks.
On Johns Island, the plan includes a "pitchfork" for Maybank Highway, which roughly describes a proposed road network from the Stono River to River Road. Charleston city officials already have approved the plan and Charleston County officials are considering it instead of a plan to widen Maybank Highway. The plan lays the groundwork to develop village-like hubs along the highway that include homes and shops.
Riley said that he can't support the Coastal Conservation League's plan because he doesn't think it will do enough to reduce traffic pressure and increase safety. He also thinks the area needs another route for hurricane evacuations.
But he supports "a hybrid" between the league's plan and a high-speed expressway. The area needs more roads that connect James and Johns islands to West Ashley and North Charleston, Riley said.
"Think of it as another highway that better connects different areas," he said of the city's plan.
Charleston County Councilman Dickie Schweers, who hadn't heard yet of the mayor's proposal, said he thinks the Coastal Conservation League's plan "should be thoroughly studied." The county has changed direction recently in how it thinks about road building, he said. It's considering building a network of streets instead of widening Maybank Highway and although it's planning to widen Johnnie Dodds Boulevard in Mount Pleasant, that plan also includes sidewalks and bike paths.
Interstates are built to go from state to state, Schweers said. "In town, they don't really do well." They've degraded the quality of life for some people, he said.
County Council Chairman Teddie Pryor, who also hadn't heard yet about Riley's plan, said he supports completing the Mark Clark Expressway. "Folks voted to have 526 completed," he said. "It's what the taxpayers want."
He also said he hopes the project doesn't encounter any more delays. "The longer we wait, the more it's going to cost us," he said.
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Comments
Zod (anonymous) says...
How is this project being funded?
In November 2004, the voters of Charleston County approved a half-cent sales tax for transportation, public transportation and greenbelt projects in the county. To complete the plan for Mark Clark Expressway, Charleston County officials used these sales tax transportation projects as a local match to apply for funding from the South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank (SIB) in 2006. Upon review of the application and the availability of matching funds, the SIB committed to fund the project.
From today's article:
"Megan Derosiers, the league's director of conservation programs. She said the league's plan will cost less than $220 million."
Okay Megan, where is YOUR money for YOUR plan originating because I have not seen one cent allocated from the SIB to releaving your "traffic snarls". If you clowns at the Conservation League get your way, I hope the residents of West Ashley thank you for the permanent placement of Food Lion, Bilo, Walmart, and whatever else 18 wheeler is idling beside their front door.
January 26, 2009 at 5:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
voxpopuli (anonymous) says...
Mayor Riley 35mph, yeah right, what will the people be driving electric vehicles like the NCPD? complete 526 as originally planned.
January 26, 2009 at 6:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
How about a tunnel, bus service, or light rail. Who's going to go 35 mph; I'd like to see that.
January 26, 2009 at 7:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
notax (anonymous) says...
Good points, Zod! Yeah, where does the money come from? They (SCCCL) always seem to find money to harass private citizens by trying to take away property rights, etc. OF course what they do costs taxpayers thousands of dollars in legal fees (SCDHEC OCRM for instance!)
January 26, 2009 at 7:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
The DOT is fiddling while Charleston burns. Those asinine ideas of the Coastal Conservation League and Joe Riley's may be grand for a weekend outing. Will they provide any relief as working people who pay for these projects are driving back and forth to work every day of the week? Will they take any of the through traffic out of our neighborhoods? Quit fiddling and complete the I-526 project.
January 26, 2009 at 7:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Zod (anonymous) says...
The reality of the Coastal Conservation League's proposal is a slight of hand tactic. They want to promise the moon to as many residents that can be reached. So they pick every corridor surrounding the project and "promise the moon".
Just take a look at their proposal:
1. Add center median (which translates into more right of way on each side of the street)
Consolidate Business Driveways (which translates into taking numerous business driveways, adding another side street, and all of this is at the expense of currently available parking at the expense of established businesses)
Add Secondary streets (Citizens of James Island and West Ashley learn these very important words - "eminent domain")
2. Construct "Pitchfork" (see above - Eminent Domain)
3. Redesign Jame Island Connector (this is an effort to slow traffic. They must slow traffic for the entire plan to even have a chance and there is still no guarantee of success. Is slowing traffic now the measure of success in highway transportation? Is traffic not moving slow enough already?
4. Build smaller streets to disperse traffic (Eminent Domain)
I have seen nothing written about this plan on movement of any underground or overhead utilities. I have seen nothing written about how many existing homes must be taken from citizens to build more roads, medians, or utilities. I have seen nothing written about the economic impact placed upon businesses currently dependant on the present traffic structure. The CCL wants you to believe that not one person will be effected by all of their proposed transition. Why?
More than a few TREES and MARSH stand in the way of the completion of I-526. God forbid mother nature endure any suffering during any progress in the lowcountry. Let's place that burden upon the citizens of James Island and West Ashley where it belongs. That is where they are taking you folks. There is no bones about it.
January 26, 2009 at 8:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
postman01 (anonymous) says...
Completely, utterly retarded.
January 26, 2009 at 8:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
YankeeLady (anonymous) says...
You talk about taking traffic out of neighborhoods...putting a huge highway through James Island goes right through homes - don't you get it yet??? This highway idea is outmoded, obsolete, a waste of money and will not make things any better. This is 2009, not 1979. The old ideas are dead. Look at something new, not just the same old cement monstrosities that don't help anyone.
January 26, 2009 at 8:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
R_U_Kidding_Me (anonymous) says...
The CCL plan sounds like it's only trying to fix TODAY's traffic instead of the traffic we will have in 5 years when the work is done. The idea of I-526 is to get to the other side of town quickly. 35MPH get real people.
January 26, 2009 at 8:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pck5 (anonymous) says...
everybody here always complains about development ruining the charm of charleston and the islands. continuing i-526 isn't the right answer. did anyone read the 56 page proposal? i would MUCH rather see that.
January 26, 2009 at 8:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Zod (anonymous) says...
I can see all the homes and business surrounding the CCL project(s)..........
But what homes are standing in the way of the completion of 526, YankeeLady? Google must have a crap satellite up there taking images because for the life of me, I can't see anything but TREES and WATER.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sourc...
January 26, 2009 at 9:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
porwoll (anonymous) says...
The CCL plan is great - if we had unlimited resources. The fact is, we need to better connect Johns and James Islands with West Ashley. 35 mph? Dreamland. Stay on task and start I-526. The longer we wait, and we've waited long enough, the more it's gonna cost.
January 26, 2009 at 9:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pullmyfinger (anonymous) says...
we need both to ease the traffic in this city. Complete 526 and then fix those intersections. Its really the only way to fix the problem.
January 26, 2009 at 9:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zekemire (anonymous) says...
Finish 526! Tell the anarchist, radical Coastal Conservation League to take a long walk, directly East of the Battery! It is time to rule these type anti American groups as SUBVERSIVE, and, legally ban their existance!
January 26, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
desspec (anonymous) says...
Who knows best how to handle traffic issues? If CCL knows better than DOT, then DOT isn't needed.
January 26, 2009 at 9:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jnot (anonymous) says...
I think it would be "instead of" I-526, so the $200 million would be a lot less than the $400 million for the extension. I'm just wondering what would happen to the already overcrowded Calhoun St. downtown when you dump an interstate right into it. That's a really good idea.
January 26, 2009 at 9:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
worm (anonymous) says...
Stop dancing around the solution and just FINISH THE INTERSTATE like any other reasonable city would do!
January 26, 2009 at 10:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
palmettobug (anonymous) says...
I went to the meetings when S.C.D.T. released the proposed map and at the same time had the money to move forward. The
Coast Con. League was there with scare tactics the whole time to the point that the SCDT pretty much backed off. If we don't get this thing started soon, we may never get it and we obviously need it desperately. As a matter of fact, we need some common sense and stategic plans or these roads will be even more of a parking lot than they are now. Have you seen Savannah Hwy at Christmas time? Northbound is literally bumper to bumper from the Mark Clark to Folly Rd.
At least if we had the connector there would be more space to park cars.
January 26, 2009 at 10:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Any of our many fine high school drop-outs could tell you that the net effect of lowering speed limits is to put more vehicles within a given space for a longer period of time.
January 26, 2009 at 10:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
icbmman (anonymous) says...
Wow, many good posts here. Postman01 nailed it exactly. There's almost no need to give this imbecilic plan any further credence by commenting on it. Zekemire and Zod also hit the nail on the head. It is encouraging to see common sense being demonstrated here.
As many here have said, building a parkway and asking for 35 mph is a complete pipedream, but it seems to be the South Carolina way: build things half-ass, while paying a ton for it.
The CCL and its ridiculous agenda needs to be ignored by SCDOT. As said earlier, they would much rather infringe on moving people and businesses around instead of chopping down a few trees and building a bridge over marsh. This is the SAME organization that indirectly has blood on its hands by constantly inhibiting progress on widening US 17!! They inhibit progress EVERYWHERE in this city!! It is time to put CCL in the trash heap of 60s extremist environmentalism.
January 26, 2009 at 10:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dolittle (anonymous) says...
The James Island Connector has been a very good thing for the people of James Island. However, the traffic at the Calhoun terminus of the Connector is a nightmare now. When traffic from West Ashley and John's Island find a completed I-526, the back up of traffic at Calhoun will be more monumental than it is today. Calhoun will simply be unable to handle the morning deluge of cars and trucks. As of today, the traffic backs up to the Harborview Exit as it is. Imagine adding cars from John's Island and West Ashley to this volume.
January 26, 2009 at 11:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nature_lover (anonymous) says...
The consultants working for the CCL can't find real work because their recommendations can't be backed up. That's why they work for the CCL.
I say go ahead with CCL's plan, and make them provide a bond that guarantees it will work.
January 26, 2009 at 12:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CaptKick (anonymous) says...
Who ever elected ANYBODY over at the CCL? They stick their noses in any and every scenario that involves any kind of development. Under what Authority? The people have voted. They need to SHUT-UP. The majority of the rest of the world doesn't live in their idealistic utopian society.I ask again - Under What authority do they fall under that says We have to listen to Anything they say? Maybe I have missed something.
January 26, 2009 at 12:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
icbmman (anonymous) says...
CaptKick, unfortunately, they have pull with many of the city and metro politicians since they contribute to their campaigns. The CCL has been giving money and participating on a very strong seat of power with Riley and the city council. These idiots are the ones who have imposed dimmer lighting throughout the city, from dimming street lights on highways like the JI Connector to dimming the entire bridge lights on the new Ravenel bridge. The CCL is given input in almost any development of project; now, they're starting to wield their power in broad directions, such as constant meddling with SCDOT plans for this extension.
What the working people of Charleston will have to do is bombard SCDOT with letters telling them to ignore this environmentalist fringe group or bombard CCL with protest letters. I think we might get more results with the first option.
January 26, 2009 at 12:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
firemike (anonymous) says...
FOLLOW THE MONEY! THE CITIZENS HAVE VOICED THERE DISCONTENT ON FINISHING THIS HIGHWAY. SO WHY IS IT BEING SHOVED DOWN OUR THROATS? IT'S POLITICAL! FOLLOW THE MONEY!
January 26, 2009 at 12:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
Roads can actually move more traffic at 35 MPH, than at 55. At higher speeds, the cars have to be further apart. In urban areas Interstate type road don't really operate at 55 large parts of the time anyway, but trying to maintain the higher speeds just results in a lot of stop and go traffic, with average speeds which are much lower.
The only way to get 55 MPH on an urban road is to utterly isolate it from the surrounding area, which results in large amounts of extra driving to get to the few available exits. The time on the interstate is shorter, but the portion on local roads gets longer because you have to drive more and the areas near the exits become congested as concentrated traffic is ported to the regular street network.
People feel like they are getting somewhere when they're driving at high speed with no traffic lights, but if the result is increased congestion in the surrounding roads due to long drives to a limited number of exits, it's an illusion since the total amount of time they need to travel has actually increased.
Seeing the interstate as the best type road in an Urban area is a great deal like deciding a drag racer is the best car to take to work. It just doesn't function that well for shorter trips in urban areas and reduces the value of all the land around it.
January 26, 2009 at 12:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
We have a portion of 526 running through Mt. Pleasant to Ben Sawyer Blvd. We seldom actually go any faster than 35 on it. It goes through residential and commercial areas, full of property which pays taxes and provides employment.
January 26, 2009 at 12:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PalmettoDP (anonymous) says...
While I like many of the elements in the CCL's plan, many of them should be done IN ADDITION to completing 526, not as an alternative.
The best way to manage congestion on the new roadway would be to charge tolls that rise and fall with demand. This would ensure that the road always has free-flow conditions and discourage sprawl.
It's time to stop studying and start building.
January 26, 2009 at 12:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CompostandWourier (anonymous) says...
Posted by dolittle on January 26, 2009 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The James Island Connector has been a very good thing for the people of James Island. However, the traffic at the Calhoun terminus of the Connector is a nightmare now. When traffic from West Ashley and John's Island find a completed I-526, the back up of traffic at Calhoun will be more monumental than it is today. Calhoun will simply be unable to handle the morning deluge of cars and trucks. As of today, the traffic backs up to the Harborview Exit as it is. Imagine adding cars from John's Island and West Ashley to this volume.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
dolittle,
Finishing the highway is not going to change the amount of people who commute downtown. They will simply be able to drive a safer, more direct route. Also easing traffic in other areas (Hwy 17 and Maybank).
This thing has been planned now for decades, let's finish it now, as designed, planned, and approved.
January 26, 2009 at 12:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
In the lab, for safety reasons increase the following distance between themselves and the rat in front of them at higher speeds. However, everyone knows that rats do not care about the safety rules and therefore run nose to butt where possible. Some rats, through timidity, training, or ability, do in fact lag and leave gaps. But, when you artificially slow all the rats down to the same speed negating ability, training, or attitude, then you eat up all of the gaps of any size. The rats will all be nose to tail allowing more rats in the same maze.
January 26, 2009 at 12:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whalernut (anonymous) says...
CCL CAN GO FLY A PELICAN!
COMPLETE 526! COMPLETE IT!
OR MAYBE WE CAN GO HORSE AND BUGGY WITH RILEY?
January 26, 2009 at 1:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
If DOT ever does get off their butts and finish this project, and it follows a route such as the one portrayed on the map that accompanies this article. It will be a very scenic drive. I hope DOT will add some observation areas. The sunsets should be incredible.
January 26, 2009 at 1:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
postman01 (anonymous) says...
Here's another problem. It is easy to divine from the article that the paper agrees with the CCL. It's very subtle and hard to detect but an exacting read of the article, starting with the headline and the every clear emphasis in the body of the article makes this clear. Who with the authority to do so actually ruled out anything?
What this means is that the majority of the posters here are way smarter than the reporters and editors at the paper concerning this issue. This raises a question, which is WHY EXACTLY are the people at the paper, whom one would assume would be way ahead on this since they are immersed in this issue, agreeing with the clearly marginal individuals at the CCL? Should we interpret this to mean that some of the folks at the P & C are likewise marginal and hence read all local news stories they write through this kind of skeptical (to say the least) lens? We've seen a lot of clearly absurd reasoning and accompanying incorrect prioritization reveal itself in P & C-authored articles in just the past seven days.
Comments, please. Since we talk about everything else, it's time to discuss this matter as well.
Also, PalmettoDP clearly has a superior understanding of this, since he advocates BOTH. I contend that it is a lesser intelligence that insists this is an either/or proposition. He is also right that nonstop studying constitutes a grandly contrived excuse that an arrogant mentality can't seem to comprehend can be easily detected.
January 26, 2009 at 1:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Acecool (anonymous) says...
But at lower speeds you have the problem of idiots coming out in front of you...
Some lady pulled out in front of me on harborview and I had to move over into the oncoming traffic lane (which was free, otherwise I wouldve t-boned her) INSTEAD OF WAITING AN ADDITIONAL 3 SECONDS because there were NO cars behind me!!!!
January 26, 2009 at 2:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
Postman01, you may be right. Perhaps the P&C has this Coastal Conservation League confused with the South Carolina Coastal Council. A real governing body whose job the folks at the Coastal Conservation League are trying to do.
January 26, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rebcsc (anonymous) says...
The notion that an interstate highway doesn't help you get to your destination quicker is utter nonsense. I grew up in rural Georgia and recall the 4 hour nightmare of US 41 going to Atlanta as opposed to the 90 minute drive I75 now affords.
I26 already dumps Interstate traffic downtown. It also allows quicker and alternative routes into ... and out of ... West
Ashley and Mt. Pleasant with the aid of I526.
Opting for more secondary roads instead of an expressway will result in more unsafe secondary roads.
As far as the James Island connector is concerned and concern about it dumping more traffic onto Calhoun Street, that assumes everyone using it is going to Calhoun Street. What about Lockwood Blvd. and West Ashley? Who remembers when the Wappoo Bridge was your only route off of James Island into West Ashley and downtown?
Is this city being run by "dumb" and advised by "dumber"?
Not building the expressway won't eliminate the current traffic demands and won't eliminate increases in demand in future years. It's that simple. Charleston has simply become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the South and one of the most popular places to live. Denying this reality is simply being a dinosuar version of an ostrich.
The sidestreet alternative to US17S is frankly the dumbest idea I've ever heard ... as it would be for anyone who is familiar with the commercial and residential development that already exists in that area. I imagine it would cost a half billion dollars to simply condemn all of the necessary property to begin implementation of the conservation league's half baked idea. The Charleston County Bar must be licking it's lips in anticipation of the lawsuits.
January 26, 2009 at 2:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Zod (anonymous) says...
It's ironic that you cite the Mt. Pleasant portion of I-526 Mr. Hamilton......
Streets run parallel and across every portion of Highway 17. The street is divided by a strip of land with pretty shrubs and palms throughout. Is this not what the CCL is advocating? If everyone is going to the same place at the same time, congestion is inevitable. It really doesn't matter if you travel by interstate, side street, throughfare, overpass, pitchfork, broom, shovel, or posthole digger. Congestion will be at the same destination when you arrive.
I see people citing the end point of Calhoun as an obstacle. Personally I have never found the traffic at Calhoun to be impossible. Then again, I'm not arriving downtown from 7-9am like so many medical staff at the foot of the connector. I do not have a medical appointment nor would I accept one during these hours. I avoid driving in the lowcountry altogether from 4-6 pm. But it would not take a rocket scientist to figure out that if we want Calhoun relieved, start work times should be staggered from hospital to hospital. If I had my way not one person would be scheduled to report or exit the MUSC facility for work from 7:30-9am.
January 26, 2009 at 2:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Uncas (anonymous) says...
Much of the proposed route for the remainder of I-526 was acquired decades age; what hasn't been acquired is being protected by interagency agreements that prevent additional development within the proposed rights-of-way.
For anyone really interested, file a detailed FOIA request with BCD COG, CHATS, and the SCDOT.
Dana Beach and Riley are doing what they do best - blowing smoke and flashing mirrors.
January 26, 2009 at 3:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Osgood30 (anonymous) says...
You cannot pave your way out of sprawl. We have one solution - Urban Density
January 26, 2009 at 4 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
thequestion (anonymous) says...
The expansion/completion of 526 does impact neighborhoods and homes. Specifically, the Stonecreek subdivision and neighborhoods in the Oakland area would be directly impacted. An elevated highway in the backyards of homes along Arlington Drive is being proposed. DOT's plan has no real answers other than these homes would not be taken and would have an elevated highway right at the boundary to their backyards. To me this constitutes a taking by the government. I am not completely opposed to the expansion/completion of the highway but to say only marshes, creeks and grasslands will be affected is not true.
January 26, 2009 at 4:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rebcsc (anonymous) says...
How would the same subdivisions mentioned above like a secondary unlimited access side street running down the middle of their neighborhoods ... say ... down the old "Rails to Trails" right of way to relieve congestion on Savannah Hwy. ... as a matter of fact ... all of the neighborhoods from Windemere to Limehouse Bridge?
January 26, 2009 at 4:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
LOL.....LOL...!!!
WOW...great comments by all..!! To the posters who have smoked out CCL and realize what they are about .......does it not make you even a little curious when they are not vocal on other Lowcountry enviro issues..?? Take a moment to think of some of the issues..??
Then ....think about DOT and all of the supporters of Build baby BUILD..?!? Think of THAT List Mayor RIley went to DC on his Knees with..!?! Think citizens..?!?! Think about each benefactor of the WORK..??
In reality....neither one is telling all the truth or explaining ALL ramifications. Just look at all the input in this VERY COMMENT Section that is not being TOLD by this very paper or local NEWS outlets..!?! Richard Todd and Rocky D do better job..!!
Is the CCL screaming about the 150 MILLION raping involved with the rail transit from Charleston to Summerville..?? Look at what LAND swaps that have taken place statewide involving RAIL..?!? Doesn't it seem like CCL would support and educate citizens about ELEVATED transit to .....SAVE TREES?? ...or shine a light on emminent DOMAIN for right of ways ..??? ...Will the rail SECTION pay for itself or better YET..MAKE MONEY..?!?!?
The same can be said for the positions taken concerning John's Island on BOTH sides..!!! In actuality ...the original highway should be built with additional efforts concerning problem intersections met "Head-ON". Citizens are not going to stop driving for the for see-able future. That being said....IF OBAMA wants CHANGE then what exactly are we CHANGING concerning our transportation problem in the next 50 years. MORE ROADS...?? WIDER HIGHWAYS..?? Heck...we moved troops in the CIVIL WAR with trains..?? We have fine AMERICAN ENGINEERS who have developed various forms of transportation that is getting NO press or a thought from the Good ol' Boyz who want to CHANGE ....ziltch!! ..NADA !!
...NOTHING !!!
Have we kissed Hugo Chavez and Ahab the Arab ....TODAY ???
ANSWER.... YES !!!
January 26, 2009 at 5:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CompostandWourier (anonymous) says...
Thequestion
"The expansion/completion of 526 does impact neighborhoods and homes. Specifically, the Stonecreek subdivision and neighborhoods in the Oakland area would be directly impacted. An elevated highway in the backyards of homes along Arlington Drive is being proposed"
98% of those homes were built DECADES AFTER the route was well known and planned. If you were dumb enough to by a house with a proposed interstate in the back yard then you deserve to live with an interstate in your back yard.
January 26, 2009 at 5:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
thequestion (anonymous) says...
"98% of those homes were built DECADES AFTER the route was well known and planned. If you were dumb enough to by a house with a proposed interstate in the back yard then you deserve to live with an interstate in your back yard."
I doubt there was any disclosure about the proposed route and certainly no current alignments were announced until the end of 2008. Those buying after the announcement of the alignment are certainly on notice. Asking people to guess if and when a road would be built in their backyard is a bit much.
The point of my post was to take issue with those that indicated no homes or neighborhoods would be affected. That is simply not the case.
January 26, 2009 at 6:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
postman01 (anonymous) says...
"Denying this reality is simply being a dinosaur version of an ostrich."
This is a pricelessly correct assessment by rebcsc.
January 26, 2009 at 6:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JC (anonymous) says...
Martin is too idealistic. This area either doesn't have the population or has too much traffic to sustain his bright ideas. Take them elsewhere. Please.
January 26, 2009 at 6:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CompostandWourier (anonymous) says...
Draw a Line from JI connecter to 526 at 17 . Doesn't take a genius to figure it out. I can't believe there was no drawing showing proposed route in 1980, almost 30 years ago.
January 26, 2009 at 7:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
redman1959 (anonymous) says...
I had to STOP reading. Botom line is CCL costs more money than it is worth; more in time, more in effort, more in brain wracking and hand ringing. If COMMON SENSE won the battle, there wouldn't be a battle. Build the frickin' road.
January 26, 2009 at 7:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mkris (anonymous) says...
Complete the cloverleaf off the connector....
January 26, 2009 at 10:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollo (anonymous) says...
I don't recall voting for Dana Beach or any other member of CCL to represent my voice as to how my tax dollars are spent. The CCL has appointed its self as the final arbiter of the taxpayers will.
We have enough trouble getting the elected officials to listen to us, we don't need a self-appointed layer of bureaucracy in our local gov't.
January 26, 2009 at 10:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollo (anonymous) says...
CCL has NO AUTHORITY to rule out anything! I Know the P&C wishes all authority in the state of SC was turned over to CCL, and P&C will lobby for such forever. I NEVER voted for P&C to decide how my tax dollars are spent either!!!
Caution: Before posting, check your comments for anything that could get your posting privileges revoked such as racial epithets, threats, off-topics posts or anything against the terms and conditions as spelled out above. Clicking post means you agree to abide by those terms.
Yeah? I'll post what I want!
Pass that by the CCL, then ask me if I care what they think.
January 26, 2009 at 11:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
commonsense4sc (anonymous) says...
1. 526 where it is completed has worked very well.
2. we will end up paying millions more when and if it ever gets bulit because the CCL will appeal it to death.
3. Dana Beach belongs back on Wall Street where he originally came from.
4. We can now thank Arhtur Ravenel for Dana Beach and his son Thomas the ex-Treasurer, two great proteges of a man who at one time seemed to help the Lowcountry.
5. BUILD 526 and do it now, the people have spoken 71% in favor, shut up Dana.
February 9, 2009 at 4:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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