MARK CLARK EXTENSION STUDY TO BE RELEASED

Route through Johns, James islands finalized

By Warren Cobb
Community Editor

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The route for the proposed extension of the Mark Clark Expressway into Johns and James Islands has been released. Alternative G will pass along the northern border of James Island County Park

Residents of all communities west of the Ashley River have been waiting with bated breath to see what kinds of impacts the Mark Clark Extension would have on environmental, social, historical, and cultural resources in the highway's path. Engineers and consultants with the South Carolina Department of Transportation have been busy since January of 2009 working on the Draft Environmental Statement (DEIS). On Monday, July 26, SCDOT sent out a press release stating SCDOT, along with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have signed the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), which will be released to the public in an open presentation scheduled for 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 28 at Charleston County Council Chambers.

An advanced copy of the proposed route of the future highway was released last week. The map shows the highway will cross the Stono River from its current terminus in West Ashley, and passing over the southeast corner of Johns Island. There are two separate exits on Johns Island-one onto River Road north of Maybank Highway, another on River Road south of Maybank. The road will cut east back over the Stono River just south of Johnson Scott Lane. From there is will pass just within the northern border of James Island County Park, then turn slightly north over Riverland Road, pass over Riley Road and Up on the Hill Road, and hook into the James Island Connector.

Watching these developments like a hawk is, of course, the S.C. Coastal Conservation League (CCL), which has been a vocal opponent of the extension since it was first funded in 2007. Katie Parks, a project manager with CCL says the impacts to the Johns and James island communities will be significant. "Crossing the Stono River two times will definitely make an impact on the wetlands below. Runoff into the Stono will be a major impact as well," Parks said in July 26 interview with West Of. "Not to mention the destruction of the natural viewsheds and vistas of the islands. We've seen from the extension of I-526 into Mt. Pleasant the kind of urban sprawl this highway can open up. This would have the same impacts on James and Johns Islands."

Josh Martin, CCL's Program Director for Land Use says the Mark Clark extension needs to be stopped, and the method by which it was originally designed in the 1970s has become obsolete. "Most counties in the U.S. are paring down their highways," he said." This project was created in the 1970s and is a reflection of that."

Martin also referred to the CCL's "New Way To Work" plan, an alternative to the Mark Clark extension project, where streets in West Ashley, James Island, and Johns Island are updated and interconnected to draw traffic off of Savannah Highway, Folly Road, and Maybank Highway. "We feel like we've provided a viable alternative," he said. "It is one-third the cost and provides the capacity we need."

Martin also said the CCL is considering all options in its war against the Mark Clark extension, including legal action. "We've been building a case legally as well with the help of the Southern Environmental Law Center," he said. "We're definitely considering a lawsuit as an option."

Following the release of the DEIS on July 28, there is a 30-day citizen comment period. Two more public hearings will be held after that at 5 p.m., Aug. 31 and Sept. 2. Both will be held at Burke High School.

For more information on the Mark Clark extension project, go to www.scdot.org/i526.