A busy roadway on James Island is set to undergo significant improvements after local residents raised concerns about safety. State and local leaders have come up with a solution, planning to add a dedicated left-turn arrow with U-turn capabilities on Maybank Highway. This change comes in response to increased incidents of dangerous U-turns, especially after the installation of raised medians.
Addressing Safety Concerns
Local residents have voiced their concerns about the dangers posed by the current traffic situation. Katelyn Sanpedro, a keyholder and bartender at Charleston Sports Pub, shared her thoughts on the issue: “A lot of people have been doing U-turns, and I think it’s extremely dangerous when people are coming around the corner. It’s a huge blind spot, and they’re flat around the corner.”
Sanpedro also noted that the situation had led to traffic backups, particularly for drivers trying to make a left turn. “People are starting to cut through the parking lot to go to where Azul is, and I just don’t think it’s very safe.”
Advocacy from the Woodland Shores Road Coalition
The Woodland Shores Road Coalition, a group of concerned residents, has been advocating for a dedicated left-turn signal since 2023. Their efforts gained traction after discussions with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). Leaders recognized the potential danger after conducting a traffic count and observing the increasing number of dangerous U-turns on the road.
The issue became more pronounced after raised medians and fencing were installed, making businesses on the left side of the road less accessible. This created additional challenges for local drivers.
Traffic Problems Impacting Daily Life
Residents have described the growing frustration with the traffic situation. Sanpedro, who lives just a few minutes down the road, explained that it often takes longer to turn left onto Woodland Shores Road than to travel to the intersection itself. “I sit at that stoplight right there through two or three stoplights to turn. It takes me longer to take a left turn here than it does to get here from my house,” she said.
Adam Friend, the founder of the Woodland Shores Road Coalition and a candidate for Charleston County District 9, also shared his experience: “There’s been several near misses. For me, I was taking a right when a car that normally would’ve taken a left around me to go on Woodland Shores Road actually did a U-turn almost right into me, had I not slammed on the brakes. It would’ve been an accident.”
A Step Toward Safer Roads
In response to these concerns, the SCDOT is working on the design for the new safety measures, which will be finalized this month. Afterward, the City of Charleston will take over and install the dedicated left-turn signal.
Residents are optimistic about the changes and appreciate the attention given to the safety issues on Maybank Highway. Friend emphasized the importance of the project, especially during the evening hours when the setting sun creates additional visibility challenges. “Around 5 o’clock, when the sun’s setting, it’s difficult to see looking west at that turn,” he said. “You’ve got this blind curve coming around Maybank so we have always sort of put our life in our hands to take that turn onto Woodland Shores Road.”
With the addition of a dedicated green turn arrow, locals are hopeful that traffic flow and safety will improve significantly. For many, it’s a welcome change. “To finally have a dedicated green turn arrow is a home run for us. It’s a huge plus,” Friend concluded.
