KPOG Alert: Update on Johns
Island Roads
Safety on Johns Island roads has long been a concern for Kiawah
Island property owners. While there has been a lot of talk over the
years about improving Johns Island roads, during the past year three
projects are being given serious consideration. These projects
include: The Cross Island Parkway Study, the proposed completion of
I-526 (Glenn McConnell Parkway), and the Maybank Corridor.
This KPOG Alert provides a summary of the projects, the status of
each, and points readers to additional information. This
information is important now because there is a limited window
during which we can provide our input into the design process for
the Cross Island Parkway Study.
Property owners can stay abreast of progress on these projects by
reading the Post and Courier and KPOG’s Kiawah Island TALK.
Cross Island Parkway Study
In 2001 Charleston County conducted the Cross Island Parkway Study
to evaluate the flow of traffic in the area bounded by Maybank
Highway, Bohicket Road, and River Road. The purpose of the study was
to improve traffic flow and reduce the number of accidents on Johns
Island. The evaluation was based on estimated 2015 traffic volumes.
Charleston County Council recently approved $75,000 to update the
2001 study. The project is being managed by Charleston County
RoadWise, a county program for managing road and highway projects
funded by the half cent sales tax. RoadWise has hired TranSystems, a
traffic engineering consultant, to update the study.
A number of changing conditions necessitated an update: increased
higher density development on Johns Island, changing land use
requirements, approval of Maybank Highway widening, the extension of
I-526, etc. The new study looks at the original study area, as well
as the area bounded by Main Road, River Road, and Maybank Highway.
On October 9, 2007, an open meeting was held at Johns Island High
School to review the 2001 study and to solicit community input to
the study update. While there was no formal process to survey local
residents and property owners, comments on the plan submitted to
RoadWise during the process were used to update the plan.
On February 20, Charleston County RoadWise and TranSystems reported
back to the community at another open meeting at Johns Island High
School. They had received comments from 346 individuals – only 9
of whom were from Kiawah Island. In contrast, 117 comments were
received from Seabrook property owners and 166 from Johns Island
property owners. The Public Comment Summary Report from the Public
Meeting held October 9, 2007 can be found at:
http://www.ccroadwise.org/file/doc/pm2crossislandhandout1.pdf |
