Residents give feedback on Highway 52 corridor public transit project
Tonight, the Berkeley Charleston Dorchester council of governments asked the public for feedback on a project that would add public transit along a major tri-county thoroughfare.
The council is looking to add public transit to the highway 52 corridor that connects north Charleston, Goose creek and Moncks corner.
As the tri-county area grows so does its traffic and the need for more public transportation. Studies have identified the us highway 52 corridor as a priority location for more public transportation options due to its growing population and congestion.
"People want to live along this corridor there's great housing there's great opportunity so having this alternate way to move gives great options opportunity to access those job medical appointments and other trips they want to make without having to sit in the car or have more free time on their journey," said Sharon Hollis with Principal Transit Planner with BCDCOG.
The public transit would have a 70-minute end-to-end travel time and 10-minute weekday service during peak. The corridor project would also connect the area to the low country rapid transit project that will be completed in 2026. County council member jay law says they have seen a lot of traffic as more people move to the area. "Traffic complaints in our area are getting worse as the area grows. People who live in the north area travel to the peninsula it's a difficult route in the morning so we are seeing a lot of those complaints accidents in the morning will hold people up and make people late so a project like a public transit would be good for a lot of individuals," said Jay Law, on Moncks Town Council.
Not everyone was in support of the idea. The mayor of mocks corner said he felt public transit would not get enough use to be worth the cost, and money could go towards fixing existing roads to reduce traffic instead. I drive from Moncks corner to North Charleston every day to work and there is a lot more traffic but I think if they invest those hundreds of millions in the roads we have now, maintain the roads we have, we can fix those problems short term than spending all this money on something I don't see people riding," said Tom Hamilton, the Mayor of Moncks Corner.
The council will have another public meeting tomorrow at Goose creek fire department headquarters from 6 to 8 for people to learn more about the project. "We want to start to plan for this today so as our region grows, we know this corridor grows we know this corridor is prepared for the future," said Hollis.
If you are unable to make the meetings you can submit public feedback online at bcdcog.com.
