Isle of Palms, S.C. – Isle of Palms has faced severe traffic congestion this summer, causing significant delays for both residents and visitors trying to get on and off the island. In response, local leaders are working to implement a traffic study aimed at addressing these issues and improving the flow of vehicles.
Summer Traffic Woes
During the summer months, traffic on the Isle of Palms Connector saw up to 25,000 vehicles per day, leading to gridlock conditions and travel times exceeding 90 minutes just to exit the island. Jan Anderson, an Isle of Palms Councilmember, shared her frustration, saying, “It took me almost an hour and a half to get from my house to the connector and not even across.” Anderson noted that this problem affected many island residents and visitors, prompting a call for change.
Traffic Study Plans
The proposed traffic study will focus on several key areas, including the Palm Boulevard and 14th Avenue intersection as well as the Isle of Palms Connector. The study will also utilize South Carolina Department of Transportation cameras to monitor traffic flow on the island. Officials hope to gather data on traffic patterns during peak travel times and other busy days throughout the year.
Collaboration with Neighboring Towns
At a recent public safety committee meeting, Isle of Palms officials expressed a desire to collaborate with neighboring towns, including Mount Pleasant and Sullivan’s Island, to ensure that the study benefits the entire area. Rusty Streetman, another Isle of Palms councilmember, emphasized the need for cooperation, stating, “To really make any progress, we need to have that partnership between all of these committees to alleviate the heavy traffic we have here and on the weekends.”
Moving Forward with the Study
Mount Pleasant leaders have expressed their willingness to cooperate on the study, and Isle of Palms officials hope to begin collecting data next summer. Jan Anderson is optimistic about the timeline, saying, “Hopefully, by the 1st of the year, we will be able to map out the plan and collect data over the summertime when traffic is bad and needs improvement.”
With the summer traffic problem on the Isle of Palms becoming increasingly difficult to manage, the upcoming traffic study represents a crucial step toward alleviating congestion. The collaboration between Isle of Palms, Mount Pleasant, and Sullivan’s Island could provide a comprehensive solution to the area’s traffic woes.
