SCDOT held a meeting with James Island residents to discuss safety upgrades for a high-crash section of Folly Road. From 2018-2022, the five-mile stretch saw over 2,100 crashes, including six fatalities, prompting plans for better crosswalks, lane adjustments, and some medians.
Community Concerns
Residents worry remaining medians will force unsafe U-turns or neighborhood cut-throughs, harming access for businesses like Chase Barton’s and delaying emergencies. A petition with hundreds of signatures opposes the project; locals like Marilyn Clifford note poor pedestrian paths where people walk paces from 30 mph traffic.
SCDOT Response
Project manager Shawn Salley explained medians reduce angled crashes but alternatives like more signals could jeopardize $12.5 million federal funding via lower benefit-cost ratios. SCDOT reduced medians by 75% from initial plans and pledged reevaluation before 2027 construction, pending town and city approvals; residents see this as progress.
