Beresford Creek Landing residents make the case for new traffic light

A standing room only crowd packed in to the Beresford Creek Landing Clubhouse on October 20 hoping to put the brakes on traffic dangers at the intersection leading in to their neighborhood off Clements Ferry Road. The group had an opportunity to share their concerns with South Carolina Department of Transportation Chair Jim Rozier, who was invited to speak with residents at the request of Berkeley County Councilman Josh Whitley (District 2). The community expressed to Rozier that a traffic light at the entrance to their subdivision is critically needed to prevent accidents, as well as other headaches continually experienced by drivers attempting to exit. “It was a good meeting,” said Rozier, after the session. “They definitely have a need for a traffic light at that intersection. “…And it would be a major help for the trucking company next door. They have a terrible time getting in and out.” Rozier added that since the meeting he has been to Columbia to speak with his colleagues about the light and that it is now under consideration. Both state and federal laws require that the project be officially “justified,” he said, before it can move forward. “Since the last time that they looked at justification for that light, traffic on Clements Ferry Road has significantly increased, and it continues to increase every day. I’m not sure Beresford Run (alone) would justify the light, but the amount of traffic on Clements Ferry Road and the number of school buses coming out of that subdivision, and the trucks next door, I’m pushing for all of that together to be the justification…But it’s not going to happen tomorrow morning. We will have to push to get it done as quickly as possible, and I will.” Whitley also spoke at the meeting and expressed his thanks to Rozier for taking part. “I was honored to have the Chairman of the SCDOT in my district and listening and educating us,” said Whitley. “…The great turnout indicates alone the importance of this issue and public interest. I hope this will move that project along much sooner than otherwise, as I believe it is a grave safety concern for those residents.” Whitley is also in the midst of planning a public town hall with local and state officials to address growing traffic concerns all along the Clements Ferry Road corridor. A date for the program has yet to be set, but Whitley said he will announce the details once they are confirmed. According to the SCDOT website, construction on the first phase of the Clements Ferry Road widening project is scheduled to begin in 2016 with a completion date in 2020.

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