TRI-COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – The Berkeley Charleston Dorchester Council of Governments wants your input on long-range transportation plans.
The Council is updating plans for the region’s rural areas which set priorities for spending amounts on transportation projects in the region over the next 25 years. These plans are federally funded and would include projects like transit facilities, highways, bike routes, pedestrian routes, roads, and bridges.
These plans are updated every five years. The Berkeley Charleston Dorchester Council of Governments recently completed the urbanized long-range transportation plan. Now, they’re focusing their attention on rural areas.
They’re asking for the community’s input on future development and which projects people find are most important in terms of funding.
“So now are rolling out a project to take a look at what the needs are in the rural areas,” Planning Director for the Berkeley Charleston Dorchester Council of Governments, Kathryn Basha said. “And that’s what these meetings are about is to basically start formulating that plan for those areas in the future.”
Following the meetings, the public comment will be compared with county concerns and then scored on importance from greatest to least.
“And that could be anything from having a need for transit service because they don’t have vehicles to use on the road, or needing a wider shoulder for safety or that there are intersections that they find are problematic.
Some people living in the area suggest adding more ways to get in and out of the Lowcountry.
“No matter where you are in Charleston, there’s only one way in and one way out,” said Pete Slater. “You know, 26. I-26 coming into Charleston, going out of Charleston, you’ve got the same issue with Folly Beach, with James Island, same thing with Mount Pleasant here.”
Others suggest fixing our traffic lights.
“Somehow like syncing up the traffic lights? Cause sometimes I’ll like go, and then I’ll stop right away,” Kate Moon said. “And then I’ll go, and I’ll stop right away. But if, they’re all kind’ve like timed to keep the constant flow of traffic going, I’m sure that would be really helpful.”
The Council of Governments is now adding an extra public input opportunity. This is the second to last chance for people in the community to voice their opinions.
The last two meeting locations and times include:
October 15, 2019
2:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Council Chambers at Town Hall
5150 Hwy 165, Hollywood, SC 29449
October 16, 2019
2:30-6:30 pm
Berkeley County Library
113 Ravenell Drive, St. Stephen SC 29479
You can also provide your input online by completing a survey. If you wish to do so, click here.
