Council presses for safety measures on US‑17 as Gateway Oasis moves forward

During debate over the Gateway Oasis zone and master plan amendments, council members repeatedly raised traffic‑safety concerns for left turns on US‑17 and the potential for future industrial truck traffic to increase risk.

Planning staff summarized the third‑party traffic review: the existing intersection is configured for future signalization but "it is likely that the residential development alone would not warrant a signal," and additional industrial traffic would likely be required to meet SCDOT signal warrants. Council members said that relying on future signalization alone was insufficient and pressed the applicant and staff to include short‑term mitigations. Suggestions discussed included striping to offset turn lanes, highly visible speed‑limit signage included in site‑review notes, temporary work‑zone treatment by SCDOT during construction, strategic fencing and signage around stormwater ponds, on‑site flagging for construction traffic and possible rumble strips pending fire department review.

Jeff Ingram, a traffic engineer with Access Engineering, advised that SCDOT controls the US‑17 right‑of‑way and that any signs, signals or encroachments must go through the state: "SCDOT owns that road... anything that goes on there, whether it's a sign, signal, or any kind of design changes has to go through them." Council directed that speed‑limit and turn‑lane modification language be included in motions and that staff ask SCDOT whether signage or a temporary work‑zone designation is feasible. The council also discussed enforcement options such as periodic patrols to deter speeding during heavy construction periods.