In continuation of the discussion regarding the Road Projects, the 3 leaders of our community have issued the following letter:
The Charleston County Council will put the question of a one-half cent sales and use tax increase to a vote in November. If approved, the funds raised by the one-half cent increase will be allocated to finance infrastructure improvement for transportation related projects in Charleston County.
While neither Seabrook Island nor Kiawah Island was consulted in generating the initial list of priority projects, County Council is providing affected residents with the opportunity to comment on line either by taking a survey at http://roads.charlestoncounty.org/tax-ref.php or by sending comments to publiccomment@charlestoncounty.org.
It is critically important that our voices are heard! You can help by submitting comments no later than Monday, June 27, 2016.
Each of us would strongly suggest that in the comment section of the survey or by e-mail, you evidence your support of one or more of the following improvements. A brief explanation of each project is listed below and a sample statement of support is also provided. Please feel free to modify the statement as you believe appropriate.
- Intersection Improvements of U.S. 17 and Main Road [“Fly-over”]: Modification of this intersection to replace left-turn lanes and signals with ramps and bridges over 17. This is an obvious priority, and should be funded independently of the revenue raised by the proposed sales tax increase.
- Improvements to Main Road from Bees Ferry Road to Bohicket Road [“Main Road”]: Adding an additional two lanes on Main Road from Bees Ferry to Bohicket Road.
- Maybank Highway Improvements: adding additional lanes and turning lanes to Maybank Highway from Main Road to the Gelegotis Bridge.
- Cross Island Parkway: Four lane limited access parkway from the end of Betsy Kerrison to the Maybank Corridor. This proposal, together with associated conservation easements to limit future growth and development on Johns Island, provides a viable alternative. Studies indicate that new, limited access parkway will:
- Reduce traffic on Maybank Highway and Bohicket and River Roads by approximately fifty percent (50%);
- Preserve the grand oak trees on Bohicket Road;
- Be the least intrusive alternative to the Johns Island community; and
- Be the most traveled road on Johns Island from the first day it opens.
Sample Support Statement:
“I support projects that will alleviate traffic and make the Johns roads Island safer. Specifically, I think that the following projects are critical and should be on the must-do list of infrastructure projects that is offered in support of the proposed half-cent sales and use tax increase: (1) adding an additional two lanes on Main Road from Bees Ferry to Maybank Highway; (2) adding additional lanes to Maybank Highway from Main Road to the Gelegotis Bridge; and (3) a new limited access four land road from the end of Betsy Kerrison to the Maybank Highway corridor;
I also consider the flyover at Main Road and U.S. 17 to be a critically needed improvement. However, this should already be a high priority projected funded independently of the sales and use tax increase.”
Thank you for your help on this important matter.
Submitted by:
Town of Seabrook, Ronald Ciancio, Mayor
Island Seabrook Island POA, Janet Gorski, President
Seabrook Island Club, David Allen, President