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Engineers tell operations committee signal warranted at Midpoint intersection near May River schools
Summary
District staff and traffic engineers told the operations committee that growth and school-related demand have pushed the Midpoint/New Riverside intersection to the point that a traffic signal is warranted; proposed work would add turn lanes, widen approaches and include pedestrian features, and coordination with nearby developments will determine who builds and maintains which pieces.
Traffic engineers and district staff told the Beaufort County School District's operations committee on April 9 that a traffic signal and related intersection improvements are now warranted at the Midpoint/New Riverside intersection serving the new May River Elementary and the adjacent high school.
"The signal itself is the biggest component. It20ll give traffic breaks to be able to flush out all the traffic both entering and exiting the school during pickup and drop off hours," said Connor Blaney of Hord Edwards, who presented the traffic study and recommended signal design elements, including additional left-turn lanes, widened stacking lanes and a signalized pedestrian movement.
Robert (staff), who led the facilities presentation, said the district required the study as part of planning for the elementary school and that the analysis showed multiple intersections should be considered. Staff added that planned growth on Midpoint triggered the signal warrant and that Beal Engineering will continue with warrant verification and signal design.
Committee members asked whether neighboring developments would be required to construct improvements at Old Palmetto Bluff and other nearby intersections. Staff said the district studied those intersections at Palmetto Bluff's request but is not contractually responsible for off-site improvements it cannot use; at the same time, the district will participate in improvements directly tied to the school's access and noted there will be ongoing negotiations about construction responsibility and maintenance. A committee member asked whether a one-time maintenance payment was $500,000; staff confirmed a maintenance-fee arrangement is expected and said the exact amount and financial responsibility will be clarified in subsequent agreements.
The presentation also emphasized pedestrian safety features that would accompany signalization, easing crossings for residents walking from nearby neighborhoods. Staff said design work is underway and will be brought to municipalities and other stakeholders for review and permitting before construction and implementation.
Next steps: staff will complete the signal warrant and design, then present the design and cost-sharing proposals to stakeholders and return to the committee with refined cost and schedule information.
