Council Moves Forward on Harborview Road

By an overwhelming vote, Charleston County Council Thursday afternoon gave the go-ahead for an alternative version of Harborview Road that promises to be far friendlier to bicyclists, pedestrians, and trees.
The alternative, sponsored by Councilman Joe Qualey of James Island, abandoned plans for a 10-ft.-wide "multi-use path" separated from the road, and placed the main bicycle traffic on the sides of the road, with marked bike lanes in each direction.  Charleston Moves had counseled against the original multi-use path because it crossed so many side-streets and driveways where motorists would be less likely to anticipate cross traffic.
Charleston Moves had presented a yet more aggressive proposal that would have eliminated much of the planned center turn lane (a.k.a. "suicide lane).  Charleston Moves Director Tom Bradford says such center turn lanes are "no-no's" on bicycle and pedestrian-friendly roads because they complicate car traffic and make travel less predictable for everyone.
Charleston County Roadwise Director Jim Armstrong estimated that the changes could cost over an additional $1.4 million, but admitted that many of the figures used in that addition could shift, depending on circumstances.  A total of $18 million is allocated for the project, and, in answer to questions from Councilman Dickie Schweers, Armstrong predicted the project would be likely to remain within budget.
Armstrong also estimated that further permitting and studies could take another 18 months.  He said any plans must be approved by the City of Charleston, the South Carolina Department of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration.
Charleston Moves today sent letters to each member of the Council suggesting that there would be huge savings in retaining the current drainage ditches, a feature that seems to be popular with many residents of James Island.  That move would spare the county the expense of constructing a massive drainage system as well as curbs and gutters. Charleston Moves had also suggested this "leaner" approach would eliminate the cost of moving other utilities while preserving the area's "rural" nature. Bradford said Charleston Moves would "stay on the case, arguing for still more improvements that will make Harborview Road a model of a "complete street."


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Here is the letter sent today to Councilman Qualey and all members of County Council:

Charleston County Council Member Joseph K. Qualey

Dear Council Member Qualey:                                                 October 20, 2011

We’re grateful for the patience you and your colleagues have had for the Harborview project, and especially to you for your leadership on the issue.  The discussions are on track to yield results that will make everyone proud and happy.

As you’ve said, “this is a process.”  In that spirit, we have been working hard to submit further refinements for your consideration. 

“It’s a process” means patience remains the order of the day — patience because anything but the best design could be detrimental to quality of life, to business and to real estate values.

“Best design” means striking a balance between the needs of “the motoring public” and the human-scale needs of families in the neighborhoods that line Harborview.  “The motoring public” may clamor for 45mph thruways. But in the meantime, schoolchildren, folks walking dogs, couples out for an evening stroll, or people bicycling to “The Pig” for a loaf of bread have other needs. Harborview should connect people and neighborhoods, not divide them.

We already have design elements elsewhere in Charleston County that might serve well in this case. Roundabouts smooth traffic flow on both Mathis Ferry and Rifle Range Roads, both of which carry higher traffic volumes.  Not only do roundabouts meter traffic flow while providing safe entry points at intersections, they also provide constantly available “U-turn” options, reducing dependence upon the center-turn lanes, aptly nicknamed “suicide lanes.” (Those nasty center lanes may be the first “no-no” on friendlier, “complete streets.”)

Now, to the matter of costs: The last thing we want is a bigger price tag due to delays. But we stress that there could be much higher long-term costs to the people of James Island if Harborview doesn’t achieve the best possible balance. That’s another reason the plan ideas we submit also deal with the construction dollars issue.

The drawings attached assume retaining improvements already incorporated in “the Qualey Plan,” namely reduced speeds, bike lanes on the roadway, a sidewalk meandering through the oaks, traffic signals (also where pedestrian crosswalks are placed). But our additions suggest:

·       shrinking the length of center turn lanes by adding roundabouts at Ft. Johnson and Mikell

·       Vastly cutting costs by eliminating the new drainage system and highway-type infrastructure and retaining much of the fixed utility infrastructure (which will also preserve elements of James Island’s scenic rural roots)

We believe Harborview Road provides the textbook case for “complete streets” in Charleston County and an extraordinary opportunity to show the way for communities all over the Lowcountry and across South Carolina.  We ask for your courage, patience and wisdom in moving resolutely in this direction.

Very truly yours,

­­­­­­­­­­­­_________________________     (signed)                                   (signed)

Tom Bradford, Director     Stephanie Hunt, Board Chair     Christopher Tullman, LEED AT

Enc: Drawings