JASPER COUNTY, S.C. () – The rapid expansion in Jasper County has sparked concerns about infrastructure, prompting the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) to take action.
Motorists have noted that the bridge on South Carolina 462, which spans Euhaw Creek at the border of Ridgeland, is overwhelmed by traffic and struggling to accommodate the current load.
“Everything coming from Beaufort and Bluffton and Hilton Head is coming this way. So, it’s kind of congested, and it’s dangerous right here by the church,” Earl Busby, a local resident, said. “The bridge and all that need to be done over.”
Right now, there are weight limits for the bridge over Euhaw Creek, and there is signage letting people know that the roadway narrows.
However, there is no shortage of cars, trucks or buses that travel over it.
“The road being so cluttered and eighteen wheelers driving on it and so many cars traveling this road locally, the traffic is real serious. They’ve had major accidents on this road that took a couple lives,” Busby said.
SCDOT is looking to amend the statewide transportation improvement program to allocate funds to replace the bridge. They’ve been accepting public comment on the project since Thursday, and they estimate it will cost about $6.9 million.
“It’s expanding. It’s a lot of development going on, and it’s a lot of people moving in the area,” Busby said. “You’ve got them coming from Hilton Head, Walterboro, Bluffton, Beaufort, and Hampton. That’s a lot of traffic.”
Several residents told off camera that many locals are not in favor of so much development, with signs posted up and down SC 462 reading “Save the Euhaw district.”
Public comment will be accepted through June 12.
Written comments should be forwarded to Ginny Jones, Public Involvement Director, SCDOT Public Engagement Office, 955 Park Street, P.O. Box 191, Columbia, SC 29202.
Comments may also be submitted online or by email to SCDOTpubliccomment@scdot.org.
