Quartz CountertopsNear Johns Island, SC

Published: Nov. 13, 2024 at 1:50 AM PST|

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - The South Carolina Department of Transportation is working to improve safety on Folly Road.

In May 2023, SCDOT did a road safety audit of Folly Road and after studying the data, they were able to present improvement concepts to the public. Now, the department is seeking input from the community.

In the SCDOT presentation, they revealed data from a 5 mile section of Folly Road. They looked at the area from Old Folly Beach Road to Maybank Highway. From 2018 to 2022, this small area experienced over 2,103 car accidents, 15 pedestrian accidents and 21 bicycle accidents. 525 of these accidents resulted in injury and 6 of them were fatal.

SCDOT is proposing some road safety improvements for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians including the addition of elements like high visibility crosswalks, relocating bus stops, adding landscaped medians similar to those on Highway 176 in Goose Creek and new pavement markings.

Several residents in the area shared their concerns with the safety of Folly Road. Many said they are excited to see change being made.

Some elements that residents expressed they would like to see added to Folly Road include more crosswalks, more lights and wider roads.

Joyce Ballard has been a resident of James Island for eight years. She suggested more traffic lights and more crosswalks because this road is so frequently utilized, but it isn’t safe enough for the volume of traffic they see.

“It has to be safe because it’s the only road that we have, but I don’t think it’s safe,” she said.

Bobbi Butler moved to James Island two years ago. She said that change needs to happen and she is eager to see what comes of this project.

“Anything that they could do, even for the bikes or pedestrians or cars, Folly Road definitely needs some attention to take care of things on the road,” Butler said.

Kathy Mehrzad moved from Virginia to James Island in 2014. She compares the traffic to Washington D.C. and claims she would rather drive in D.C.

Mehrzad said when she first moved to James Island she would walk and bike on Folly Road, but that ended very quickly.

Now that both she and her family members have gotten in accidents on Folly Road, she tries to avoid even driving on the road. She limits her walking and biking to nearby parks and trails where she feels safer. She said that if pedestrian safety was prioritized on the road, she would use it, but not in the state that it’s currently in.

“I have witnessed many an accident. After my husband and daughter and I moved down, we each had an accident - not our fault - been hit from behind. In fact, [my daughter] had to have rehab,” Mehrzad said. “No, I don’t feel safe on Folly Road. There’s just too much traffic… people come in every which direction, and most are not giving signals, not paying attention. So, I pick and choose when I come out.”

SCDOT is looking to begin construction on these improvement projects in 2026. In the meantime, they are accepting public comment on these proposals so anyone can weigh in with their feedback.

All comments are due by Nov. 22. A link to submit public comments can be found here.

Representatives with the department say that all new sidewalks will be added at specific locations, which are detailed in the project’s concept mockups. More information about these proposals can be found here.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Published: Nov. 10, 2024 at 7:45 PM PST|

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - James Island will soon offer a new way for residents and visitors alike to learn about its connection to the Revolutionary War.

South Carolina 250, which the state General Assembly chartered in 2018, provided a $12,000 grant to the town, which will use it to create a new historic driving tour.

“The interest in that history and the founding of our country, and so much of it started right here it just really important to focus on that. And a lot of folks don’t know about it, and a lot of history can be lost so we want to preserve it,” Mayor Brook Lyons said.

The tour includes eight different stops around the island.

“There’s so many special places on James Island of historical significance, and this is a great way to highlight eight of the most significant ones,” Lyons said.

Lyons and the History Commission Co-Chair Michael Williams saidthey hope to educate locals and tourists with this historical information.

“It preserves history and its educational and it just a real tribute to our staff and committee members how we can all pull together,” Lyons said.

The process of coming up with and executing this concept took about a year. Williams said the grant made it possible for them to move so quickly.

“They took the bull by the horns and went forward and got a grant and found some fantastic people to help with the project,” Lyons said.

The town held a private event with over 60 people attending, honoring the voice actors and those who made the tour possible.

Williams said this will be a game changer for their town. People will be able to scan a QR code on their brochure, for free access to the audio recordings while driving around to see the different stops.

He said this will help those who may not be able to access walking or carriage tours like they may offer in the peninsula.

“You know over here you got Charleston across the Harbor, but this is James Island this is where the stamp act, or where the stamps were torn up which was a precursor to the Revolutionary War,” Williams said.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - A majority of Charleston County voters said “no” to renewing a half-cent sales tax planned to fund transportation, drainage and greenbelt projects.

Charleston County general election results showed 61% of voters rejected the transportation sales tax and use referendum. Nearly 40% of voters chose ‘yes’ on their ballots.

The ballot question asked for the renewal of the half cent sales tax. The tax meant residents would fund $5.4 billion over 25 years. The plan would start in 2027 to support 22 large-scale transportation projects, drainage and greenbelt projects.

The ordinance planned for $4.9 billion toward transportation projects with $2.3 billion of that money focusing on the Mark Clark extension. The project would impact West Ashley, James Island and Johns Island areas if continued.

County councilman Larry Kobrovsky was against the referendum. Kobrovsky says the tax defeat would be “a historic vote from the grassroots level that was up against great odds.”

“This in my opinion was- and apparently in the opinion of most people in Charleston County- overwhelmingly thought it was a fiscally irresponsible plan, that didn’t address our needs countywide,” Kobrovsky says. “And we need to roll up our sleeves and you know come back in two years with something that is fiscally responsible and transparent and comprehensive.”

County council voted for the third and last time in July with a majority vote in favor of the tax. The final vote during the meeting was 6-2 with one council member absent.

Vice Chairwoman Jenny Honeycutt supported the referendum and advocated completing the I-526. She is among the 39% of voters that voted ‘yes’ on their election ballots. Honeycutt says officials will continue to look ahead to figure out solutions to issues.

“I think we all agree that we face some very challenging transportation and infrastructure issues with the amount of growth in our region and we have to address that,” Honeycutt says. “So we will look for whatever mechanism possible to continue our transportation program and meet those needs.”

Up-to-date election results are available here.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Published: Oct. 31, 2024 at 5:00 PM PDT|

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - James Island visitors and residents alike will have a new way to learn about the community’s history starting in November.

The town will launch “Voices of the Revolution,” an immersive driving tour on Nov. 10 from 2-5 p.m. at Fort Johnson.

The tour will include historic interpreters, refreshments, maps and details for downloading the free tour.

The new driving tour was made possible thanks to a $12,000 grant from the SC250 Commission, which was chartered by the South Carolina General Assembly in 2019 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

“We couldn’t be prouder of the work our History Commission, town staff and community members have done on this project,” James Island Mayor, Brook Lyon, said. “This history tour is going to be a fun and educational experience for residents and visitors for years to come.”

The tour is narrated and produced by Evans Byrd, a native Charlestonian and certified history tour guide with more than 20 years of experience.

Additionally, historic figures are brought to life with the following voice talents:

Neal Kinard

A beloved local historian and storyteller, Neal Kinard has dedicated his life to uncovering and sharing Charleston’s rich history. His work often appears on local platforms, and he is known for his engaging presentations at the Charleston Museum and various historical societies.

Dominica Harrell

An advocate for cultural preservation, Dominica Harrell is the founder of the James Island Cultural Heritage Society. With a deep familial connection to the area, she has played a vital role in initiatives that honor the island’s diverse heritage through events and educational programs.

Tessa Spencer

A well-known television personality, Tessa Spencer is a news anchor at WCIV. With years of experience in broadcasting, Tessa brings her passion for storytelling and community engagement to the project.

Roger Gaither

A prominent artist and educator, Roger Gaither has exhibited his work throughout the Lowcountry.

Phillip Koontz

A talented musician and local performer, Phillip Koontz has shared the stage with various artists at renowned Charleston venues.

Bill Sharpe

A respected journalist and former anchor at WCSC, Bill Sharpe has reported on Charleston’s evolving landscape for decades.

Terry Bryant

A dedicated community leader, Terry Bryant has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of residents on James Island. Through her advocacy and civic engagement, she emphasizes the importance of community involvement in shaping the island’s future.

Kenneth Ursin

A cherished educator with over 30 years of experience, Kenneth Ursin has taught in various Charleston schools and is known for his innovative teaching methods.

The event and the tour are free and open to the public. For more information, please visit the Town’s website at jamesislandsc.us

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.