Sea Islands Part 3: Transportation

Susan’s set of ideas for the Sea Islands continues:

I would focus on providing infrastructure to address the projected increased populations on the sea islands (as 1,000s of units are already approved for construction in the next 24 months). I would urge SCDOT and Charleston County to install traffic signals, safe crosswalks, sidewalks and bike paths on the sea islands; in addition to traffic calming devices. I would value and respect the sea islands and promote ways to preserve and protect them.

Ferry Routes

I like the idea of the ferries linking park to park …greenspace to greenspace…. this would need tweaking but on the north side of Charleston, public ferries linking WATERFRONT PARK to the YORKTOWN to SHEM CREEK to THE OLD BRIDGE to SULLIVANS ISLAND…. to ISLE OF PALMS to the landing near BIRDS OF PREY CENTER and to BULLS ISLAND or the BULL’S ISLAND FERRY dock with room for bicycles and coordinating/linking the schedule to the bus system.

Fix the Flooding

Every time it rains, East Bay south of I-26 (and sometimes the connector too) flood to the point that cars are bogged in place on a main throughway between Downtown, Uptown, and Mt. Pleasant. Fix the drainage, or elevate the road a few feet for goodness’ sake! Not only is there a relatively easy fix to a persistent issue, it would send a signal that the city gives a hoot about the adjacent neighbors and the low-income neighborhood there.

Invest in public transportation

If I were mayor, I would invest heavily in public transportation infrastructure, which could raise the quality of life for Charleston’s residents by alleviating traffic and the time miserably spent behind the wheel in traffic; make streets safer for children, pedestrians and bikers; mitigate the pressure to widen scenic roads and mitigate the need for additional parking downtown; and lessen drunk driving.

Better Regional Transit

We’ve been working on these issues for some time now. Ridership on CARTA is up and hundreds of thousands of trips are made on transit within the city every month. However the next step will have to be more than adjusting existing bus routes and must reach and connect areas of the City without good connections such as James Island. West Ashley and Daniel Island. We’re trying to build of dialogue and understanding now. Everyone trying to build a better community should ride the bus at least once in a while. Our new organization, Best Friends of Lowcountry Transit joins others already working on this effort. Here is the Facebook page.

PEDESTRIAN ONLY STREET(S)

King Street already does this a few days out of the year, which is fantastic, yet it should become permanent. Having atleast one pedestrian only street is one of the most enjoyable common denominators we’ve found in other great cities of the world. The walkability of Charleston is one of its best attributes. It should be encouraged.

Traffic flow

This can be such an easy fix. There are two lanes coming off the JI Connector approaching Folly Road. As it stands now, the left lane opens to two left turn lanes and the right lane becomes a right turn lane onto Folly There’s way too much confusion as commuters in the right lane simply move into the left lane as it opens.. The main two lanes need to continue on as a left turn and the right hand spur can move onto a right turn onto Folly Rd. Accident potential is too high there.

More Parking Love for those who pay taxes

As a City of Charleston property tax payer, it sure would be nice to be shown some love with the parking lots and garages which are owned (and often not managed) by the city. I know the city has worked hard to move us into garages and off of the streets. Some sort of appreciation would be noticed as a local.

Shuttle to Work

Thanks to G. Summars who posted this in response to “If You Were Mayor” on Facebook:  “I would provide parking lots and shuttle buses for hospitality workers in downtown Charleston.  Most workers pay for a monthly parking pass for the very expensive garages. Show some love and consideration.”

Walk signals

Every light location in the city should have a walk/don’t walk signal. This is especially crucial at intersections with one-way streets.