Residents view 17 possible ways of extending I-526

Nov 14, 2008 (The Post and Courier - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- ZZFOP | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Opinions about extending the Mark Clark Expressway appeared to be as varied as the many possible routes shown Thursday to the public.

Maps displayed at a public hearing at Fort Johnson Middle School showed 17 variations. All but one of the routes begin where Interstate 526 currently meets Savannah Highway and cross the Stono River to Johns Island. Most proposals have the highway intersect with one or more Johns Island roads before spanning the Stono a second time and running just north of, or just inside, the northern boundary of James Island County Park.

Most join Folly Road where it meets the west end of the James Island connector, but three possible routes swing south of the park. One of the routes joins Folly Road closer to Fort Johnson Road. Two alternates would cross only marsh at the northeast end of Johns Island, without intersecting with any of Johns Island's roads.

The State Infrastructure Bank has agreed to fund the $420 million I-526 extension project and has awarded Charleston County $99 million.

Some of the scores of people who turned out to see the maps and talk informally with Transportation Department officials expressed opinions for and against the project and concerning alternate routes and alternate solutions to highway congestion.

Extending I-526 is absolutely essential, said Lewis Dean Monk of James Island. A superintendent for a home-building firm, he insisted his support for the project has nothing to do with developing Johns Island. He said that will take place with or without the interstate. "Johns Island is a vulnerable spot, and there are just two ways on and two off. Imagine the catastrophe of a hurricane evacuation," he said.

Alex Dadok of the Coastal Conservation League manned a table, passed out literature opposing the extension and distributed "Fix Our Roads First" stickers. Marion Niemi of West Ashley agreed with Dadok, and said all the proposed routes will destroy natural habitats. "There are many alternatives to what is being built," she said.

In literature handed out at the hearing, transportation officials said they are in the process of preparing an Environmental Impact Statement. Possible alternatives to adding to I-526 are still under consideration.

"The purpose of the project is to increase the capacity of the regional transportation system, improve safety and enhance mobility in West Ashley, Johns Island and James Island areas in an environmentally sensitive manner," the literature states.

Along with the extension, DOT said it is considering not building it; alternative routes for it; improving existing roads instead, handling highway problems through better transportation management, including High Occupancy Vehicle lanes and synchronized signals; and reducing congestion via land-use plans.

Tom Fullmore, a longtime critic of the extension, said his James Island property would be crossed by, or would abut, I-526 routes that swing north of the county park. If it has to be built, the original 1972 proposed route should be chosen, he said. He added that by offering so many alternatives, highway officials "pit everyone against each other and they (DOT) get the result they want."

Jack Parker of West Ashley said that instead of extending I-526, officials should take better care of its existing roads. "This is really not needed, and they will end up with nobody wanting to live here," he said.

IF YOU GO:

--Two more hearings: Tuesday at West Ashley High School and Thursday at St. Johns High School. Both will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

--More info: To get more information, or to submit comments: Go to scdot.org/I526 or call 888-623-4526. Comments can be submitted through Jan. 9.

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