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Residents and officials press SCDOT on proposed Folly Road medians; petitions circulate
Summary
Residents and municipal leaders urged alternatives to SCDOT’s proposed raised medians on Folly Road, circulating paper petitions and asking for more local input; the town passed a resolution opposing the current proposal and will present concerns at a Feb. 19 town-council meeting.
A broad group of James Island residents and municipal officials told the intergovernmental council they oppose SCDOT’s proposal for raised medians along Folly Road and are circulating paper petitions to register community objections. "I am passing around petitions to keep the medians out of Folly Road," a resident told the council during public comment.
Mayor Brook Lyon said the town previously "passed a resolution at our last meeting expressing opposition to the proposed medians along Folly Road as part of the SCDOT Folly Road safety study and improvements project" and is requesting a traffic light at Santee Street and Folly Road. Lyon said the town will present additional information and take questions at a Feb. 19 town-council meeting and that organizers expect to finish collecting petitions in the next weeks.
Residents and elected officials pressed for alternatives they said would be less disruptive to businesses and emergency response. "This is dangerous. This is a horrible idea," Chair Dr. Cynthia Magnano said after recounting concerns raised by local firefighters. Multiple participants recommended rumble strips, mid-block pedestrian refuges, targeted medians only where appropriate, lower speed limits or additional crosswalks rather than a continuous raised median.
SCDOT representative Mr. Ladson told the council the medians were proposed "for safety purpose." Council members and residents, however, questioned whether the Folly Road context — narrow right-of-way, adjacent businesses and frequent large-truck turns — matches sites elsewhere where medians have worked. Town staff said they will continue outreach, collect petition signatures at town hall and area businesses, and coordinate with elected representatives who can engage DOT.
