November 24, 2020
Message from Mayor Weaver on Johns Island Roads
We need your help. For years, Kiawah Island and its residents have sought better and safer roads across Johns Island. As the sea islands grow, congestion on our primary roads get worse, and their safety continues to deteriorate. This affects Kiawah, Seabrook, and Johns Island residents and the many workers who travel each day to and from these communities. Despite the fact that our three islands contribute over a billion dollars annually into the greater Charleston economy, these transportation needs have remained unaddressed, even as development continues.
There is an opportunity for that to change, but it will require Kiawah’s residents, property owners, and businesses to actively make their views known. As a result of the half-cent tax referendum approved by voters in 2016, the County is now asking the public for input on the Main Road Corridor C project. This project proposes the widening of Bohicket Road, from Betsy Kerrison to Maybank Highway. This project is certain to attract both support and opposition. Importantly, the process requires that other alternatives to ease congestion and improve safety along this traffic corridor be identified and evaluated.
Four alternatives to the widening of Bohicket Road are under consideration and can be viewed on the project website at www.mainroadcorridor.com. These alternatives differ in many respects, including where they route traffic, their use of new or existing roads, their costs, their environmental impact, and their impact on the surrounding community. Each alternative poses offsetting advantages and issues. It is not likely that any of the alternatives will be adopted without considerable change. Any solution to our serious road problems will need to balance the competing demands of effectively easing congestion and improving road safety while minimizing or managing the environmental and community impact.
Sea island residents, including Kiawah’s property owners, need to participate in these discussions and made their interests and views known. Providing Kiawah, Seabrook, and Johns Island residents and workers with safer roads can be accomplished. Already, interest groups are activity lobbying against some, or all of the proposals being considered. The best result for our communities will be one that comes out of a process aimed at finding a solution, not obstructing one, and that fairly reflects the interests and needs of residents from all three communities, as well as concerned conservation, community and business groups.
The Town, as it has in the past, will continue to advocate on behalf of our property owners and those who must travel here to earn a living and support our community. You can help by taking a moment to familiarize yourself with the project by visiting the project website, reviewing the road alternatives, and providing your comments. Public comments during this initial stage of the project will be accepted through December 16th
Craig Weaver, Mayor