What is the issue?
I-526 or the “Mark Clark Expressway” is an interstate loop in Charleston County that currently terminates at Savannah Highway in West Ashley and in Mount Pleasant. In June 2006, the State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) voted to fund the I-526 extension from the Savannah Highway terminus to the James Island Connector (SC-30). Rather than just saying “No” to this destructive project, the Coastal Conservation League hired Glatting, Jackson, Kercher, Anglin, a transportation planning firm to create a new alternative to this massive highway project. Our alternative, “A New Way to Work,” will resolve traffic congestion in major bottleneck areas, costs over 50% less that the State plan and create an enhanced public realm centered around the road networks.
How would it affect South Carolina?
A large interstate project would perpetuate automobile-dependent transportation across Charleston County and increase sprawl outside the highway loop rather than repairing those corridors closer to the urban core. The proposed expansion of I-526 places pressure on rural areas and natural resources and is an inefficient use of valuable coastal land. Specifically, the potential alignments cut through neighborhoods, the James Island County Park and the Dill Sanctuary as well as impact wetlands and personal property (degrading property values). The League’s proposal for road networks in aggravated areas relieves traffic congestion, opens up public waterfront in West Ashley, creates enjoyable spaces, brings local business and services closer to where people live, and ultimately provide more transportation options.
What can you do about it?
Currently the South Carolina Department of Transportation is finishing a public comment period and drafting the Environment Impact Statement (EIS) for its selected alternative. This will be presented Spring 2010. The “New Way to Work” alternative was eliminated during the selection process and the League is working with the Southern Environmental Law Center to address why this alternative was not studied more closely. As residents and concerned citizens you can let the DOT and Charleston County know that we do not net a major highway extension with calls, letters and emails and by attending public meetings. Municipalities have the ability to oppose major road projects and to-date, the Town of Folly Beach and the Town of James Island have done so.
As new development continues to cluster around the I-26 corridor, we must also direct our attention to the important transportation planning in that area. Rather than extending two bridges to rural Johns Island and building an expressway through James Island, we believe funds should be dedicated for improvements to the I-26 corridor to address the growing needs and maximize the benefit of new industry such as Boeing and the Clemson Restoration Institute wind turbine facility. Mass transit, such as light rail, is an exciting opportunity for this area and should have priority in attention and funding.
- We save over $420 billion dollars: this road project is funded by taxpayer money through the STIB. Using a large amount of this money on one major project precludes necessary projects here and elsewhere from funding resources they badly need.
- We help preserve the character of Charleston’s coast: two new bridges to Johns Island, highway lanes above James Island neighborhoods and interstate cloverleaves are not our vision for the coast. We also create an enhanced public realm and great places in the process.
- We actually improve traffic flow: If the League alternative is ultimately selected or if the $420 billion is NOT spent on the Mark Clark, local traffic projects and/or light rail benefit from newly available funding and more transportation options are provided to users.
- Funds and energy will be misdirected, away from the growing I-26 corridor where attention is truly needed.
- More growth on Johns Island and in rural areas: In July of 2006, Charleston County has released the EDAW report that states that with the I-526 extension "John's Island will see 20-40% more population growth than predicted by the current BCD forecast".
- Charleston County will be lost under highway ramps: the typical commercial development and sprawling communities associated with these areas will dominate the landscape near the project.
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